Digital Commons Network^™

A Qualitative Descriptive Study Exploring Infertility Help-Seeking Among African American Women, Andrea G. Wells

All ETDs from UAB

BACKGROUND: Failure to achieve pregnancy (infertility) affects over 6 million women ages 15–44 in the United States. African American women have more difficulty getting pregnant than White women but are less likely to seek help for infertility. According to the current research, there are several factors (cost, insurance coverage, etc.) that create difficulty for women to seek help to get pregnant. However, little is known about the factors that influence or impede infertility help-seeking among African American women. The purpose of this study was to explore the barriers and facilitators to infertility help-seeking among African American women.METHODS: Factors affecting infertility …

Roles Of Dietary Bioactive Compounds In Gut Microbiota Modulation And Epigenetic Regulation In The Prevention Of Breast Cancer, Huixin Wu

All ETDs from UAB

Breast cancer (BC) is the second most common cancer and the second leading cause of cancer death among women in the United States. The average risk of a woman developing BC is about 13% according to American Cancer Society. Various genetic-related risk factors including inherited mutations of genes, and lifestyle-related risk factors such as physical inactivity, obesity, aging, smoking, and air pollution have been studied for cancer prevention and treatment. The currently existing treatment methods such as chemotherapy and neoadjuvant systemic therapy can induce adverse effects on patients. Therefore, cancer prevention has been of great interest to the society. Numerous …

Cognition, Self-Awareness, And Driving After Moderate-To-Severe Traumatic Brain Injury, Christina A. Diblasio

All ETDs from UAB

Moderate-to-severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) often results in cognitive deficits in learning/memory, executive functions, and self-awareness. Cognitive impairments and unawareness of those impairments hinder driving capacity, yet a large proportion of survivors return to driving after injury. Given that many survivors are driving, it is essential to understand how cognition and self-awareness impact driving practices. To date, studies in this area are limited. This dissertation aimed to (1) create a normative sample for the Brief Test of Adult Cognition by Telephone (BTACT), a short cognitive battery adapted for telephone administration and validated for the TBI population; (2) examine the relationship …

Adolescent Overweight And Obesity In Ireland—Trends And Sociodemographic Associations Between 1990 And 2020, Aoibhín Moore Heslin, Aisling O'Donnell, Laura Kehoe, Janette Walton, Albert Flynn, John Kearney, Breige Mcnulty

Articles

Background: Overweight and obesity in adolescence is a growing issue and can have a range of both short- and long-term consequences on health. Objectives: To analyse trends in adolescent weight status in Ireland across a 30-year period and to examine the influence of sociodemographic factors on overweight/obesity in Irish adolescents over time. Methods: Body composition and body mass index weight status of Irish adolescents were compared using data from three nationally representative, cross-sectional Irish national food consumption surveys from 1990, 2006 and 2020. Adjusted analysis of associations between socio-demographic factors with the risk of adolescent overweight/obesity at each time point …

A Theoretical Analysis Of Orphan Works, Eden Sarid, Omri Ben-Zvi

Cardozo Arts & Entertainment Law Journal

In American libraries, museums, and archives, there currently are tens of millions of cultural treasures, such as photos, manuscripts, and sound recordings, which hold extraordinary academic, cultural, and historical value. But these valuable items, known as "orphan works, remain out of public reach. Orphan works are subject to copyright, but their copyright owners cannot be located. These works are stuck in limbo-as copyright works, they cannot be used without permission, but permission cannot be granted because the copyright owner is unknown. This exceptional predicament has not escaped the attention of legislators and academics, yet thus far, the United States has …

America Is Watching, But Are They Listening?, Nancy Kartos

Cardozo Arts & Entertainment Law Journal

The note examines the persistent issue of violence against Black people, particularly at the hands of police, and how social media has become a significant factor in hindering accountability. It draws historical parallels between past racial violence, such as lynchings during the Jim Crow era, and contemporary police brutality, highlighting how social media amplifies yet polarizes public discourse. The analysis critiques the legal system's failure to hold police accountable, with a focus on the doctrine of qualified immunity, and explores how political polarization exacerbates the problem. The note ultimately argues that without addressing these systemic and technological challenges, meaningful reform …

Reclaiming Feudalism For The Technological Era, Shelly Kreiczer-Levy

Cardozo Arts & Entertainment Law Journal

The article argues that traditional personal property law fails to adequately address the complexities of AI-capable assets, such as robots, which require a new framework to balance manufacturer control with user rights. It proposes two models—the connection model and the competition model—to regulate these relationships, emphasizing the need for collaboration, data ownership, and consumer protection in the evolving landscape of technological ownership.

And A Second Opinion For All... And Anything Else? The Jack Eichel Saga And Issues Of Medical Autonomy, Seth Warshaw

Cardozo Arts & Entertainment Law Journal

The note examines the legal and bioethical implications of the Jack Eichel Saga, focusing on the dispute between Eichel and the Buffalo Sabres regarding medical treatment under the NHL Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA). It argues that the current CBA's "due consideration" standard for team physicians fails to adequately protect players' medical autonomy and informed consent rights. The analysis concludes that the Sabres would likely prevail in arbitration due to the narrow interpretation of the CBA's provisions, but the dispute highlights the need for reforms to align the CBA with ethical medical standards and enhance player autonomy.

Re-Striping: Predatory Trademarks And Common Signs, Lior Zemer, Or Morag, Yochai Rosner

Cardozo Arts & Entertainment Law Journal

Trademark laws were traditionally designed based on the belief that there was an infinite supply of eligible registrable signs. However, current studies show that trademark supply is finite, and that we are close to exhausting it. While trademark protection allows proprietors to distinguish between their goods or services from others, and allowing the public to do the same, the extent of such protection requires constant legal attention and reconsideration which, as contemporary trademark policies show, does not take place in the expected frequency.

One of the immediate consequences from this lack of attention is the rapid growth in strength of …

The Lived Experiences Of Black Women Pursuing Managerial Positions In Corporate America, Edo Linette Branch

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The cultural and historical background of Black women represents unique complexities in the journey to management. The specific problem was that Black women often faced more gender and racial biases while advancing into management positions in corporate America than their White male and female counterparts. The purpose of this qualitative, descriptive phenomenological study was to explore the lived experiences of Black women advancing into management positions who face more gender and racial biases than their White male and female counterparts in corporate America. The conceptual framework that grounded this study was the intersectionality of gender and race. The research question …

Sharing Strategies Between Higher Education Administrators And Their Information Technology Leaders, Larita Brewster

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Some senior administrators in higher education institutions lack strategies to share leadership decision-making with their information technology (IT) leaders in the quest to sustain and improve organizational performance, which is often of concern to leverage technology and improve organizational performance. Grounded in the Bolman and Deal four-frame model of leadership, the purpose of this qualitative, multiple-case study was to explore strategies used at four higher education institutions by four IT leaders and four senior administrators, to improve organizational performance in Alabama. The participants were four higher education senior administrators and four IT leaders in Alabaman higher educational institutions. Data were …

Association Between Covid-19 Health Knowledge, Self-Efficacy And Preventive Behaviors Among Nursing Students, Josephine Miane Britanico

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Abstract Nursing students possess valuable public health knowledge to prevent the spread of COVID-19 infection. They can provide health education to the public with reliable information and adequate resources. To better understand the role nursing students can take in prevention efforts, the purpose of this quantitative correlational study was to examine the association between COVID-19 health knowledge, self-efficacy, and preventive behavior among undergraduate nursing students. The health belief model was the theoretical framework that guided this study. The primary research questions assessed (a) if there was a statistically significant association between COVID-19 health knowledge and preventive behavior among nursing students, …

Lived Experiences Of College Students With Social Anxiety Disorder Accessing Support Services, Patrice Nicole Broaden

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Many college students exhibit symptoms related to social anxiety disorder (SAD); however, they were not addressed or diagnosed until college. College counseling centers are experiencing an increased number of students with SAD. College students with SAD often experience failing grades, have limited social interaction with peers, and lack appropriate assertiveness. The purpose of this hermeneutic phenomenological study was to investigate the lived experiences of college students with SAD accessing support services. Phenomenology was the framework used to support the study. Semi structured interviews with 10 students were used to generate rich, detailed descriptions of the phenomenon. An interpretative phenomenological analysis …

Training Strategies To Improve Salesperson Confidence And Production, William B. Bronson

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Many sales leaders need strategies to improve the productivity and confidence of their sales personnel. Ineffective sales training programs cost organizations billions of dollars in annual revenue and profits. Grounded in adaptive leadership theory, the purpose of this qualitative mini-ethnographic multiple-case study was to explore successful strategies used by sales leaders that combine and balance virtual and online resources with traditional face-to-face training methods to increase the productivity and confidence of sales personnel. Data were collected by interviewing eight salespeople and two sales managers spanning two Texas insurance companies and reviewing company documents. Data were analyzed using Yin’s five-step process …

High School Teachers’ Experiences And Perceptions Facilitating Student Discourse And Collaborative Structures For English Language Learners In Biology, Chrissy Ann Brouwer

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The problem that was addressed in this study was that the academic needs of English Language Learners (ELLs) were not being met in biology classes in high schools in the local district because teachers were not consistently facilitating instruction using the required strategies of student discourse and collaborative structures. The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore teachers’ successes, challenges, and need for supports when using the required strategies with their ELLs. Knowles’ theory of andragogy and Shulman’s theory of pedagogical content knowledge guided this study examining how the adults’ learning of the required strategies impacted their ability to …

Perceptions Of African Americans Toward Premarital Counseling, Kimberly A. Brown

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractResearch regarding premarital counseling programs has shown that premarital counseling can help individuals enhance the quality of their relationship and lower the likelihood of divorce after marriage. The research problem addressed in this study was that couples who do not participate in premarital counseling have lower relationship satisfaction and higher rates of divorce, and Black couples participate in premarital counseling less often compared to White couples. Using a generic qualitative research design, data was collected by conducting semi-structured interviews with five African American married couples who had not participated in premarital counseling to find out their perceptions as these were …

Attachment And Its Prediction Of Emotional-Social Intelligence (Esi) Of African American Females During Mid-To-Late Adolescence, Lauren N. Callahan

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Attachment and emotional-social intelligence (ESI) have been an area of study among scholars since attachment has been shown to impact important areas of psychosocial development. This study involved exploring attachment or the adolescent bonding experience, and its prediction of ESI of African American females during mid-to-late adolescence. Researchers have demonstrated there are ethnic differences in terms of attachment and ESI but have not established predictive relationships among African Americans. The purpose of this study was to examine attachment and its prediction of ESI of African American females between 15 and 18. Using a quantitative design, the Adolescent Attachment Questionnaire and …

Educating Nurses On Mental Fatigue, Tawanna Ann Canty

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Education correlates with nurse performance and avoiding mental fatigue. This project attempted to answer the question, “Educating nurses on mental fatigue will increase knowledge” focusing on educating rehabilitative nurses regarding mental fatigue. The project was guided by the Analysis, Design, Develop, Implement, and Evaluate model. Twenty rehabilitative nurses were administered a pretest consisting of 10 multiple-choice test questions. They received education on mental fatigue through PowerPoint presentations and handouts. After completing the education, participants were administered a posttest with the same 10 questions. An evaluation tool consisting of six questions was completed measuring an increase in knowledge after the posttest. …

Education Program To Increase Nurses' Knowledge Of Faith Community Nursing, Lovell Thurmon Sweeten Cartwright

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractThe practice problem was a group of nurses practicing as faith community nurses (FCNs) who had no training in FCN practice, a specialty recognized by the American Nurses Association. This problem was important to address within the context of nursing practice because the nurses could have acted outside of their scope of practice and caused harm. The practice-focused question addressed whether a staff education program for FCNs would increase their knowledge of their role in a church setting with the goal of developing independent FCNs. The model guiding the project was the health promotion model. Eleven registered nurses were recruited …

Spiritual Care Visits During Palliative Care Predicting Discharge Location, Saundra Denise Casey

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractSpiritual care has an important role in the caring of terminally ill patients and their families. However, there is little research demonstrating the relationship between spiritual care in palliative settings and discharge location of terminally ill patients. This study addressed spiritual care as a part of the palliative care services. A total of 186 records were reviewed from the spiritual care department at a hospital in Michigan. Kirkpatrick and Shaver’s attachment theory was used to evaluate the relationship between palliative care and discharge location. The research questions addressed the relationship between spiritual care visits, gender, age, religion, primary diagnosis, and …

Managerial Strategies To Improve Warehouse Safety Culture, Rasheen J. Chatmon

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

An unsuccessful safety program can negatively affect warehouse efficiency, profitability, and reputation. To provide a safe work environment, warehouse leaders need guidance on establishing policies and training to ensure that all employees are adequately trained and understand the safety expectations of the organization. Grounded in high-reliability organization theory, the purpose of this qualitative single-case study was to explore managerial strategies to improve the warehouse safety culture. The participants were five warehouse managers who demonstrated the ability to successfully improve their organization's safety culture. Data were collected through virtual semistructured interviews and reviews of organizational documentation. The data were analyzed using …

Principals’ Role In The Development Of Middle School Teacher Leaders, Ruben Lubala Chiza

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

School personnel across the United States are developing additional teacher leadership roles to improve professional learning and retain effective teachers. More information is needed concerning how middle school principals are guiding the development of teacher leaders in their schools. The purpose of this qualitative case study was to explore the leadership strategies used by middle school principals to develop and support teacher leaders in their schools. Bass's conceptual framework of transformational leadership guided this research. Research questions were designed to explore how middle school principals in urban schools understood their roles in teacher leader development and the leadership strategies employed …

Effect Of Detention Facilities Toward Juvenile Delinquency And Exposure To Criminalization, Calvin Clark

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractDetention facility settings present opportunities and risks in relation to violent extremism. Criminalization as the main concern would increase the crime rates in the United States while allowing the formation of terrorist groups on U.S. soil. The purpose of this quantitative cross-sectional study was to investigate the relationship between juveniles’ experiences in detention centers and their exposure to criminalization. The study was guided by social control theory, narrative theory, and differential opportunity theory. Data were collected using a survey of 15 juvenile detention officers. Results of correlation analyses indicated a significant relationship between detention experience and increased exposure to criminalization …

Teach-Back As An Evidence-Based Tool In Patient Education, Andrea Clyne

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractDischarge instructions are a valuable component of patient education as they can influence outcomes post-discharge, leading to positive social change through improved morbidity and mortality. The use of teach-back education by registered nurses is a best practice that assures understanding of discharge instructions. However, consistent use of this method relies on the staff’s conviction and confidence in this manner of education. The purpose of this project was to develop, deliver, and evaluate a program to educate staff on the best practice of teach-back to effectively deliver patient education. The logic model helped guide and develop the stages of the project …

Treatment Integrity And Differentiation In The Very Early Rehabilitation In Speech (Verse) Trial, Emily Brogan, Natalie Ciccone, Erin Godecke

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Background:

Key elements of treatment fidelity include treatment integrity (adherence to the treatment protocol) and treatment differentiation (the difference in treatment ingredients in the control and intervention groups). The Very Early Rehabilitation in SpEech (VERSE) trial established treatment fidelity at the macro level for key components of therapy.

Aims:

To complete a detailed analysis of treatment integrity and differentiation at the utterance level of a therapeutic interaction.

Methods:

This was an observational study of therapy videos collected as part of the VERSE trial. Participants were people with aphasia in the very early phase of recovery post stroke (n = 44) …

Assessing Visual Function In Young And Medically Complex Children With Cerebral Visual Impairment, Kathleen Mary Weden

All ETDs from UAB

Cerebral Visual impairment (CVI) has become the leading cause of vision impairment in children worldwide. Early identification of CVI has been shown to improve visual function outcomes and improve developmental outcomes and quality of life. However, children with CVI are difficult to identify and assess because the medical conditions that cause CVI can also cause impairment across domains of function. A scoping review was first conducted on interventions and outcome measures used for children with CVI. The sources identified (n=20) were grouped into five types of interventions. The review confirmed the need for quantitative, standardized methods for measuring visual function …

Mechanisms Linking The Circadian Clock To Cardiac Physiology, Lamario J. Williams

All ETDs from UAB

Rationale: Cardiovascular disease continues to be the leading cause of death in America. Many aspects of both cardiovascular physiology (e.g., blood pressure, heart rate) and pathophysiology (e.g., myocardial infarctions, sudden cardiac death) exhibit time-of-day dependent fluctuations (termed diurnal variations). Circadian clocks consist of transcriptional feedback cascades directly modulating expression of genes involved in processes such as metabolism, signaling, and ion transport. Interestingly, genetic deletion of a core circadian clock component in the heart (cardiomyocyte-specific Bmal1 knockout mice) leads to chronic induction of the transcriptional repressor E4 Promoter-Binding Protein 4 (E4BP4) associated with early-onset dilated cardiomyopathy, metabolic inflexibility, and electrophysiologic disturbances. …

Navigating Missed Visits In Hiv Primary Care: Exploring Risk Factors Associated With Missed Visits, Jiaying Hao

All ETDs from UAB

The HIV care continuum is a public health model that outlines the steps or stages people with HIV go through from diagnosis to achieving and maintaining viral suppression. Retention in care, a key component of the HIV care continuum, is critical in achieving good health outcomes for people with HIV (PWH) and preventing HIV transmission. Consistent HIV care is essential for the health of PWH as a part of retention in care. De-spite no standard measure for retention in care to PWH, the missed (no-show) vis-its/appointments is one of the most commonly used methods for evaluating retention in HIV care. …

The Genetic Epidemiology Of Complex Lung Diseases, Ava Claire Wilson

All ETDs from UAB

This research utilizes precision medicine techniques to advance our understanding of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF) with the overall goal of improving the etiology of and identifying molecular targets and pathways in COPD and IPF to help improve patient outcomes. We aimed to 1) identify novel drug targets and uncover potential mechanisms by which pirfenidone and nintedanib attenuate fibrosis by performing an integrative ‘omics analysis of transcriptomics and proteomic responses to TGFb1-stimulated lung fibroblasts; 2) define a skeletal muscle fiber shift phenotype in both males and females with COPD and begin to disentangle underlying mechanisms …

Evaluation Of A Hospital Pdmp Ehr-Integration Implementation: A Mixed, Heather D. Martin

All ETDs from UAB

Background: Many providers continue to over prescribe opioids for pain, and Prescription Drug Monitoring Programs (PDMP) can be used as a tool to assist with appropriate opioid prescribing decisions. Despite mandates requiring opioid prescribers to review patients’ prescribing history in their state’s PDMP, barriers to PDMP success still exist such as a difficult PDMP logon process and having to log on to a separate PDMP system, which can cause access, workflow, time commitment, and ease of use issues and deter providers from using the PDMP. Some health care organizations have implemented PDMP electronic health record (EHR) integration (PDMP EHR-integration) to …