Digital Commons Network^™

Phenomenological Study Of Counselors Working As Community Response Team (Crt) First Responders For Mental Health And How They Cope With Stress And Burnout, Modupe Adekunbi Olaniyan

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to explore the experiences of counselors working as Community Response Team (CRT) first responders for mental health crises and to describe how they cope with job stress and burnout. The study involved 12 participants who were interviewed via Zoom. Participants were selected using criterion sampling, and the research sites were located in the Metropolitan area of the east-central United States (Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia). The theoretical framework guiding this study was the Transactional Model of Stress and Coping (TMSC) developed by Lazarus and Folkman (1984). Recent literature on job stress and burnout, …

Church Disaffiliation's Impact On Black Christian Millennials' Faith Development, Kevin M. Simmons

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The researcher explored the faith, ways of living, and ideologies of Black Christian millennials that unite them with others and with God, leading to what James Fowler called the “ultimate environment” (Attfield, 1994). The study employed a qualitative phenomenological research design to examine whether the faith development path of Black Christian millennials had been impacted by church disaffiliation. From their perspective, identifying factors that fuel their beliefs, religious expressions, and views on their religious identity (Thomas, 2017). Faith, in its simplest form, is defined not by creeds or their institutional practices, Fowler acknowledges. However, its foundational truth lies in the …

A Phenomenological Study Of Pastoral Perspectives Of Conservative Churches Effectively Serving The Disability Community, John D. Hall

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This phenomenological study explored the experience of pastors leading conservative churches engaging with and serving persons with disabilities and their families. It focused on six theologically conservative churches providing special needs ministry, with at least three distinct scheduled ministry opportunities staffed by lay leadership, meeting a minimum of quarterly, and overseen by a paid staff member. This research sought to understand the perspectives of the pastors leading these churches, focusing on their personal experiences with disability, vision implementation, and leadership development. This study explored these pastors’ leadership through the lens of Transformational Leadership Theory and whether their style demonstrates transformational …

What Is The Relationship Between Mental Health Court Participation And Recidivism In Georgia's Juvenile Courts?, Damarius Thompson-Lewis

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Juvenile Mental Health Courts (JMHCs) intend to address mental health issues that are related to youth delinquency through a therapeutic justice model rather than a punitive justice model. Still, the question of whether JMHCs decrease recidivism among young offenders in Georgia remains understudied due to limited empirical research on these programs. This quantitative, causal-comparative study addresses this gap by examining two key aspects: (1) the impact of JMHC participation on recidivism rates and (2) the predictive role of individual program components. The study included 300 juveniles (150 JMHC and 150 standard court participants) across five Georgia counties. Recidivism was operationally …

The Emotional Aspects Of Disbelief: A Study Of Negative Emotions And Their Influence On Atheists When Reasoning About God’S Existence And Christianity, Esteban Canales

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The lack of sufficient evidence has been signaled by atheists as the main reason for their disbelief, identifying arguments such as God’s silence and the problem of evil as intellectual reasons against the existing of God and the plausibility of Christianity. While Christians found in arguments from Natural Theology, Scripture, morality, and the like, reliable sources in order to recognize God’s wonders and purpose for humanity, for atheists it seems that no argument seem sufficient neither rational. But what about if these so-called intellectual reasons are the product of an underlying emotional condition, affecting negatively the way atheists reason the …

Use Of The Casper Test As An Admissions Test For Predicting Academic And Clinical Performance In Student Registered Nurse Anesthetists: A Predictive Correlational Study, Barbara A. Acord

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This quantitative, non-experimental, predictive correlational study examined the extent to which CASPer test scores predict academic and clinical performance among student registered nurse anesthetists (SRNAs). Certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs) provide over 80% of anesthesia services in the United States, showing the importance of effective admissions processes to identify candidates most likely to succeed academically and clinically. Traditional admissions criteria in nurse anesthesia programs largely prioritize grades and may underrepresent non-cognitive attributes associated with student success. A convenience sample used a medium effect size, power of .8, and alpha level of .05, with G*Power calculated to be 85 participants 2nd …

Protecting Computer Systems In The Post-Quantum World, Thomas C. Gerlach

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The 20th century saw remarkable growth due to technological advances, with many of the most significant advances due in no small part to the transistor and the computer revolution it spawned. During the last several decades, an even more transformative technology has been making incredible advances: quantum computing. Quantum computers will significantly impact computer security, with a profound risk to encryption and privacy. However, because of the incredibly complicated nature of quantum computing and the variety of fields involved, quantum computing continues to be viewed as science fiction by many and is failing to garner enough attention within the computer …

Study On The Prevalence Of Police Whistleblower Retaliation In The United States Of America, Brian Andrew Morrison

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Research indicates that two substantial problems arise as a result of retaliation against law enforcement whistleblowers. The first is that up to 10% of whistleblowers attempt suicide, with more contemplating the action (Shepard, 2021). The second problem is that, in law enforcement, the corruption of the investigative authorities involved in such cases represents a significant issue. In the last 5 years, the need for change in law enforcement has grown; one cause of this has been the rising voices of those who have witnessed corruption. Consequently, the aim of this applied quantitative study is to help unravel the problem of …

Two Centuries Of Sexism In British Parliament: A Computational Analysis Of Women’S Representation In The Hansard Corpus, Mandira Sawkar

Theses

Detecting sexism and gender bias in text is a central problem in NLP, yet most existing work focuses on short, informal content such as social media posts. In contrast, much less is known about how sexism operates in long-form, formal discourse, where it is often expressed indirectly through rhetorical framing, appeals to tradition, or references to gender roles. Parliamentary debates offer a particularly rich setting for studying such language, but their scale, linguistic complexity, use of archaic English, and the presence of distributional shift across centuries make systematic analysis challenging and historically infeasible without automation. In this work, we analyse …

Automatic Modulation Classification On Satellite Communications Across Orbital Domains, Lorraine (Raina) Freeman

Theses

In recent years, the space domain has exploded with both commercial and government activity, making situational awareness critically important. In this work, we highlight the need for signal intelligence capabilities that can transfer gracefully from terrestrial systems to space networks. This already difficult task is additionally complicated by the fact that satellites operate at multiple different orbits. Geostationary (GEO) satellites face significantly different channel conditions than their Low Earth Orbit (LEO) counterparts, meaning that any cross-orbital signal analysis tool must be able to handle widely varying conditions. Such tools may soon be critical for identifying satellites and detecting malicious cyber …

Rituals, Culture, And The Swiftie Self: An Autoethnography Of The Life Of A Showgirl Release, Karla Auria Sadang Galeon

The Manuscript: Journal of Taylor Swift Studies

This autoethnographic study investigates the meta-cognitive labor and ritualistic practices involved in constructing a contemporary digital fan identity. Drawing from detailed self-generated data (pre-release journals and real-time video reactions) surrounding the release of Taylor Swift's The Life of a Showgirl, the research asks: "What are the rituals that construct, regulate, and sustain a fan identity in this media event?" This thematic analysis revealed four interconnected categories of fan rituals that underscore the active, self-monitoring nature of fandom: Rituals of Preparation and Sanctified Space (transforming consumption into a structured event), Rituals of Relational and Aesthetic Boundary Work (negotiating personal relevance …

We’Ve Been Dying From Trying: Taylor Swift, Earnestness, And The Collective Repudiation Of Cool., Kathryn J. Lively

The Manuscript: Journal of Taylor Swift Studies

This essay argues that cool operates not as an aesthetic preference but as a feeling rule—a socially enforced constraint on which emotions are permissible in public life. Drawing on Thornton's concept of subcultural capital, Goffman's dramaturgical framework, and Hochschild's theory of feeling rules, the paper identifies three structural requirements of cool: distinction in the mode of appreciation, performative concealment of effort, and emotional constraint. Taylor Swift violates all three. Through analysis of the Eras Tour, Swift's songwriting, her public persona, and the ritual practices of her fandom, the essay demonstrates that Swift's cultural significance lies not in her popularity but …

“Everybody's So Punk On The Internet:” What Online Discourse On Taylor Swift’S Life Of A Showgirl Tells Us About Social Movements, Media, And Activism, Kaela Joseph, Tanya Cook

The Manuscript: Journal of Taylor Swift Studies

Taylor Swift’s twelfth album (TS12), Life of a Showgirl, broke multiple records in charting and sales (Sisario), however, early online discourse focused less on the album’s commercial success and more on Swift herself as a public figure in the current sociopolitical landscape. While some critiques were typical, discursive of Swift’s lyricism and composition, as well as the expectations set by Swift’s marketing of the album, others questioned what the album says about Swift’s sociopolitical positionality. More specifically, discourse questioned how the album contributes to, or detracts from, Swift’s role as a starticipant; a celebrity who contributes to the success …

(Re)Imagining Research-Practice Collaboration And Partnership: Constructivism By Way Of Interdisciplinarity, Multimodality, And Humanity, Bethany Silva, Alecia Magnifico, Laura Allen, David Baroody, Ashley Barry, Shawna Coppola, Cathy Fraser, Emily Geltz, Anne Mcquade, Christina M. Ortmeier-Hooper, Laura Smith, Donna Turco

Journal of Practitioner Research

Research-Practice Partnerships (RPPs) have become an important vehicle for educational research. By connecting researchers and educators, RPPs can couple systematic research and practical application. However, relational practices for building research collaboratives are understudied, and RPPs often reinscribe power imbalances among practitioners and researchers. With its focus on the centrality of practitioners and their knowledge, practitioner research offers possibilities for disrupting such power imbalances. In this reflective essay, our team describes our efforts to harness practitioner research’s capacity to identify and address salient school-level issues and RPPs’ power to impact a wider audience. We identify practices to build relationships, inform research …

Heart Rate Variability In The Context Of Mental Health And Substance Use, Sage M. Lopez

Bridges: An Undergraduate Journal of Contemporary Connections

Heart Rate Variability (HRV) has been linked to various areas of cardiovascular disease and mortality in previous research. Within this area, certain mental illnesses and use of psychoactive substances have been associated with low HRV and its health implications. Little research exists that examines the combined effects of mental illness and psychoactive substance use. The current research aims to understand if there is a compounding negative effect of these two factors when studied in tandem. Using a three-phase study design, HRV was analysed at baseline and at physiological relaxation, with participants being included under certain mental health, substance use, or …

Breathing Life Into Sel: A Practitioner Inquiry On Hā, Belonging, And Multilingual Learners In Hawai‘I, Mylia Briggs, Monica Gonzalez Smith

Journal of Practitioner Research

This practitioner inquiry explores how a Pacific-oriented social-emotional learning (SEL) framework, Nā Hopena A‘o (HĀ: BREATH), can affirm the cultural identities and emotional well-being of Filipino multilingual learners (MLs) in Hawai‘i. Implemented over a 15-week period in a third-grade classroom, the study draws on culturally adapted SEL lessons, student exit tickets and focus groups, and teacher reflections to examine how SEL shifts when grounded in Indigenous values, heritage language use, and community knowledge. Findings reveal three key themes: (1) Cultural Connection Fosters Belonging, (2) Language Visibility Promotes Emotional Safety, and (3) Identity-Affirming Practices Build Confidence and Voice. While students responded …

Exploring Researcher-Practitioner Authorship Collaboration In English, Foreign Language, And Mathematics Education, Rachel Cullen, Joseph Taylor, Matthew Laney, Mohamed Nouri

Journal of Practitioner Research

This study examined collaboration and bidirectional relationships between researchers and practitioners in the context of journal publications. Through exploration of research and practitioner journals in the areas of English, Foreign Languages, and Mathematics, we aimed to understand how authorship patterns and types of references illustrate the gap between research and practice. Findings indicate that collaboration between researchers and practitioners in the context of journal publications is minimal, and practitioner presence is scarce in research. The types of references included in publications are high quality regardless of authorship, but there is a problem of exposure that limits the research from reaching …

Act And Agent: A Burkeian Analysis Of Marlon Brando’S Refusal Of The Academy Awards, Jack Ammerman

Pepperdine Journal of Communication Research

With the increasing prevalence of celebrity activism in modern society, Marlon Brando’s refusal of the Oscars—an act that trailblazed how celebrity activism was conducted in the film industry—is an exemplary case study for exploring the mechanics of celebrity activism and the implications of such rhetorical acts. A Burkeian analysis of Brando’s rhetorical act will help discern which elements contributed to the act’s profound impact on celebrity culture and media activism. Drawing on Burke’s communication theories and available scholarship on celebrity activism, I will demonstrate how Brando’s celebrity status supercharged the efficacy of his rhetorical act and gave him an extensive …

“We Still Exist”: Communication Experiences Among Transfer Student Socialization, Kampton Carter

Pepperdine Journal of Communication Research

Transfer students typically have a distinct college experience from those who enter universities as first-year students. It is important to consider the differences between transfer students and the traditional student population, as these differences may significantly impact their adaptation to a new university. This research draws on interviews with five students who transferred to a faith-based private liberal arts university in the West from other institutions. These interviews revealed that transfer students go through three stages of the encounter phase of socialization: (1) barriers to integration, (2) adjustments to choices and expectations surrounding community and isolation, and (3) empowerment from …

A Conversation With Dr. Thomas B. Padgett, Theresa Stenger

Virginia Dental Journal

No abstract provided.

Through The Looking Glass, Sarah Glass Dds

Virginia Dental Journal

No abstract provided.

Staying Invested During Unsettling Times, Bobby Moyer

Virginia Dental Journal

No abstract provided.

Party Like It’S 1869, Richard F. Roadcap Dds

Virginia Dental Journal

No abstract provided.

Va Dent J October, November And December 2020.Pdf

Virginia Dental Journal

No abstract provided.

Manufactured Urgency: A History Of Humanitarian Photography And The Politics Of Seeing, Dylan Ryu

Historical Perspectives: Santa Clara University Undergraduate Journal of History, Series II

No abstract provided.

Sublatâ Causa, Tollitur Effectus: Pathologizing Male Homosexuaity In The French Colonies, Anna Nicolae

Historical Perspectives: Santa Clara University Undergraduate Journal of History, Series II

No abstract provided.

Historical Perspectives Vol. 30 2025

Historical Perspectives: Santa Clara University Undergraduate Journal of History, Series II

No abstract provided.

Conceptualizing A Virtual African American Heritage Trail In Georgetown, South Carolina: A Marketing And Destination Staging Framework, Jerome Christia, Jacqueline Calhoun, Elisabeth Dellegrazie

The Coastal Business Journal

This article proposes a destination-planning framework for conceptualizing a Virtual African American Heritage Trail in Georgetown County, South Carolina. Located within the coastal region of South Carolina and between the major tourism markets of Charleston and Myrtle Beach, Georgetown contains a historically rich but spatially dispersed landscape of African American heritage sites that remain underrepresented in regional tourism promotion.

To address this gap, the study integrates the AIDA hierarchy of effects with Butler’s Tourism Area Life Cycle (TALC) to explain how virtual interpretation can support early-stage destination development. AIDA is used to illustrate how digital engagement can move audiences from …

Ultras: Rethinking Tax Policy For Digital Assets, Lauren Liedel

The Journal of Business, Entrepreneurship & the Law

This comment examines the challenges current federal tax policy faces in addressing the rapidly expanding and volatile digital asset market. The author argues that the Internal Revenue Service’s (IRS) current "piecemeal" approach to defining taxable events—such as mining and staking—creates significant uncertainty for taxpayers and leads to strategic litigation. To resolve these issues, the article proposes the adoption of Unliquidated Tax Reserve Accounts (ULTRAs) as an alternative reporting framework. By utilizing blockchain's inherent capability to track notional interests, ULTRAs allow the IRS to account for economic activity while offering taxpayers the flexibility to defer actual payment until the assets are …

Guarding The Game: Building A Defensive Line Between Athletes' Biometric Data And Gambling Interests, Caroline Hébert

The Journal of Business, Entrepreneurship & the Law

This comment examines the intersection of wearable technology, professional sports, and the burgeoning sports betting industry. Focusing primarily on the National Football League (NFL), the author explores how biometric markers such as heart rate, stress levels, and fatigue—originally intended for player health and performance—are increasingly targeted for commercialization in the gambling market. The comment provides a critical analysis of the current legal landscape, noting that existing frameworks like HIPAA and GINA, as well as current Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBAs), offer insufficient protections for athletes' sensitive personal data. Hébert identifies key points of exploitation by third-party vendors and highlights the conflicting …