Digital Commons Network^™

S-Methyl Cysteine Sulfoxide: Its Effects On Cardiometabolic Outcomes In High-Fat Fed C57bl/6 Mice And Relevance To Human Health, Caroline R. Hill, Balmer, Hayley Abbiss, Jonathan M. Hodgson, Joshua R. Lewis, Armaghan Shafaei, Lauren C. Blekkenhorst

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

S-Methyl cysteine sulfoxide (SMCSO) is an organosulfur compound with demonstrated hypocholesterolemic, anti-diabetic, and antioxidant benefits in rodents. However, the doses used have limited translatability for humans. We explored whether SMCSO could blunt development of diet-induced metabolic syndrome features in mice using doses that are potentially more translatable and achievable in humans. Male mice (C57BL/6; n = 54) were randomly assigned into one of five groups: [1] normal-diet; [2] high-fat-diet; or high-fat-diet with [3] 60 mg kg⁻¹, [4] 170 mg kg⁻¹, or [5] 350 mg per kg per body weight (BW) of SMCSO, respectively. Doses were administered …

Digital Leadership In The Era Of Ai: Present And Emerging Research Topics, Joanna Samul, João Falcão E Cunha

European Management Studies

Purpose: This study explores the development of digital leadership in the context of rapid digital transformation and the expanding role of artificial intelligence. Its primary objective is to synthesize current knowledge on the concept of digital leadership and its core competencies and outline prospective research directions. To achieve this, the paper reviews existing research themes and examines the influence of digital leadership on various employee and organizational outcomes.

Design/methodology/approach: The research employed a systematic literature review, incorporating content analysis of 162 peer-reviewed articles retrieved from two major academic databases: Scopus and Web of Science. This approach enabled a comprehensive …

“Kailan Ka Magkakaanak?” Understanding The Rise Of The Dual Income And No Kids (Dink) Families In The Philippines, Maria Veronica Y. Cervantes, Lucille Beatrice P. Casipit, Stephanie Marie D. Jacob, Sabrina Yunis C. Obispo, Marie_Valen N. Cortez

Sinaya: A Philippine Journal for Senior High School Teachers and Students

The Dual Income, No Kids (DINK) lifestyle is gaining popularity in the Philippines as couples prioritize financial freedom and personal development. It is recognized that in the Philippines, where family-centered values hold significant importance, living a childfree lifestyle remains a rare choice. However, this choice has recently gained attention, reflecting a growing tension between traditional expectations and modern aspirations. Lack of literature on Dual Income, No Kids (DINK) families in the Philippines created a gap in understanding this phenomenon and failed to present how Filipino couples navigate this choice. The study employed a transcendental phenomenological (TPh) approach, which involves understanding …

Empowering Future Teacher Leaders Through Peer Mentoring, Stephanie M. Banks

Excelsior: Leadership in Teaching and Learning

No abstract provided.

Strategies Leaders Use To Reduce Voluntary Attrition Among Employees With Access To Wellness Programs, Cara Murray

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Voluntary employee attrition presents ongoing challenges for organizational leaders, particularly among employees whose workplace needs and preferences are unmet. The problem is that many leaders lack effective strategies to mitigate voluntary attrition, which negatively impacts productivity, morale, and overall organizational performance. Grounded in the job demands–resources model and wellness climate theory, the purpose of this qualitative pragmatic inquiry project was to explore strategies leaders used to reduce voluntary employee attrition among employees who have access to workplace wellness programs. The participants were six organizational leaders from mid-sized and public-sector organizations who successfully mitigated voluntary attrition. Data were collected through semistructured …

The Motivation And Influence Behind The Decisions Of High School Students To Participate In The National Ffa Organization, Taylor A. Nielsen

Department of Agricultural Leadership, Education, and Communication: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Today, high school students are increasingly engaged in extracurricular activities, navigating a diverse range of options for which clubs and organizations to join during their secondary education. This poses a challenge for students and for Career and Technical Student Organizations as they work to recruit talented students. High school students have several influences and pressures on their time, including peers, family, and teachers. These influences often recognize how organizations such as FFA can be pivotal in shaping students’ personal and professional development. We wanted to explore the motivations and influences guiding high school students’ decisions to join and actively participate …

A Qualitative Case Study: Exploring Distributed Leadership In Instructional Leadership Teams, Martha Reyna Perez

Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation explored the role of distributed leadership within Instructional Leadership Teams (ILTs) at the elementary level, using Beckhard’s (1972) GRPI framework— Goals, Roles, Processes, and Interpersonal Relationships—as a lens. Conducted as a qualitative case study at Rio Vista Elementary in Lone Star Independent School District, the research examined how ILTs functioned in the context of post-pandemic education, focusing on collaboration between administrators and teacher leaders. Guided by Spillane’s (2006) distributed leadership theory, the study addressed three questions: the lived experiences of ILT members, shifts in teacher leadership and organizational conditions, and perceived impacts on student outcomes. Findings showed that …

A Qualitative Case Study: Exploring Distributed Leadership In Instructional Leadership Teams, Martha Reyna Perez

Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation explored the role of distributed leadership within Instructional Leadership Teams (ILTs) at the elementary level, using Beckhard’s (1972) GRPI framework— Goals, Roles, Processes, and Interpersonal Relationships—as a lens. Conducted as a qualitative case study at Rio Vista Elementary in Lone Star Independent School District, the research examined how ILTs functioned in the context of post-pandemic education, focusing on collaboration between administrators and teacher leaders. Guided by Spillane’s (2006) distributed leadership theory, the study addressed three questions: the lived experiences of ILT members, shifts in teacher leadership and organizational conditions, and perceived impacts on student outcomes. Findings showed that …

Source-Specific Nitrate Intake And Incident Dementia In The Danish Diet, Cancer And Health Study, Catherine P. Bondonno, Pratik Pokharel, Dorit Wielandt Erichsen, Liezhou Zhong, Jörg Schullehner, Cecilie Kyrø, Kirsten Frederiksen, Peter Fjeldstad Hendriksen, Frederik Dalgaard, Lauren C. Blekkenhorst, Stephanie R. Rainey-Smith, Samantha L. Gardener, Torben Sigsgaard, Ole Raaschou-Nielsen, Anne Tjønneland, Jonathan M. Hodgson, Christina C. Dahm, Anja Olsen, Nicola P. Bondonno

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Introduction: Dietary nitrate, through conversion to nitric oxide, which supports vascular and nervous system function, may lower dementia risk but may also form neurodegenerative N-nitrosamines, depending on the nitrate source. Methods: We investigated associations between source-specific nitrate and nitrite intake and incident and early-onset dementia (< 65 years) in 54,804 dementia-free participants from the Danish Diet, Cancer and Health Cohort Study over ∼27 years. Nitrate and nitrite intakes were derived from food frequency questionnaires and nitrate and nitrite databases. Results: Higher plant-sourced nitrate intake was non-linearly associated with lower rates of incident dementia (fifth vs first quintile hazard ratio 95% confidence interval: 0.90 [0.83, 0.98]), while increased risk was seen for higher intakes of animal-sourced, additive-permitted meat-sourced, and tap water-sourced nitrate. Similar associations were seen for source-specific nitrite intake and were more pronounced for early-onset dementia. No clear effect modification was observed. Discussion: These findings highlight the importance of nitrate source in dementia risk and warrant further investigation. Highlights: Plant nitrate is associated with a lower risk of incident and early-onset dementia. Animal and tap water nitrate are associated with an increased risk of dementia. Encouraging consumption of plant-based nitrate sources may lower risk of dementia.

Organizational Leaders’ Effective Strategies For Using Employee Training To Mitigate Threats To Cybersecurity Compliance, Oluwaseye Adekunle Fadare

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Organizational leaders increasingly face challenges associated with employee noncompliance with cybersecurity controls, which expose business leaders to reputational and financial risks. Addressing this business problem is critical for cybersecurity leaders and business executives who aim to strengthen digital resilience and sustain profitability. The purpose of this qualitative pragmatic inquiry was to explore effective strategies organizational leaders use to enhance employee cybersecurity compliance through training. The project was grounded in the protection motivation theory and total quality management frameworks, which provide insight into the behavioral and continuous improvement dimensions of cybersecurity management. Six cybersecurity leaders from Nigeria participated in semistructured interviews. …

Multilevel Influence Of Sustainability Leaders In Business Systems, Alwen Jose Apid, Mendiola Teng-Calleja

Journal of Management for Global Sustainability

Existing studies that point to the various influences of sustainability leaders on individuals, organizations, and external stakeholders remain fragmented. Using Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological Systems Theory, this study aimed for a deep examination of leaders’ experiences as they built layers of influence through their sustainability initiatives and efforts. The study employed a reflexive qualitative approach in gathering and analyzing data from semi-structured interviews with five sustainability managers working in listed fast-moving consumer goods companies. The results suggested evident patterns of sustainability-promoting actions among the leaders that reflect alignment with environmental, social, and governance (ESG) standards. Strategies toward effective leadership influence include grounding …

Finding Courage In Psychologically Unsafe Environments: The Impact Of Trait Social Courage And Voice On Leadership Emergence, Allona S. Murry, Rebecca L. Badawy, Robyn L. Brouer, Matt C. Howard

American Business Review

This paper explores the role trait social courage has in psychologically unsafe team environments, specifically examining its impact on voice and leadership emergence. Using a sample of undergraduate students engaged in a semester long team business simulation, surveyed at multiple time points and with multiple raters, we found support that trait social courage is activated under conditions of low psychological safety, resulting in voice behaviors. Further, voice was related to perceptions of leadership emergence. Implications and directions for future research are discussed.

Voices Unheard: The Paradox Of Teacher Leaders In Educational Decision-Making, Diane E. Johnson, Kelly Brown

Journal of Educational Leadership in Action

This phenomenological study explores how teacher leaders (TLs) perceive the impact and recognition of their voices within a high-performing suburban high school. Despite their pivotal role in shaping instruction and school culture, TLs often feel their insights are undervalued, particularly by district-level administrators. Through in-depth interviews with ten formal and informal TLs, the research reveals a disconnect between TL input and policy implementation, with on-campus administrators more receptive but limited in authority. Findings highlight the importance of collaborative leadership structures, professional capital, and authentic engagement to empower TLs. When TL voices are genuinely integrated into decision-making, schools experience improved teacher …

Skill Evolution In The Age Of Ai-Utilizing Text Analytics For Skill Gap Analysis To Prepare Women For Leadership Roles, Blenda G. Mutuma, Marcelline Ouma, Beth Kanyiri

Communications of the IIMA

ABSTRACT
The rapid advancement of Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming the global workforce, presenting both opportunities and challenges for leadership development, particularly for women. As AI automates routine tasks and redefines skill requirements, there is a growing demand for uniquely human capabilities such as emotional intelligence, creativity, and strategic thinking, qualities that are inherently strong and often highly associated with women. Research indicates that women typically score higher in emotional intelligence, particularly in areas such as empathy and relationship management, which are critical for effective leadership (Goleman, 2020). Furthermore, studies by McKinsey & Company (2022) highlight that gender-diverse leadership teams, …

Exploring The Transformational Leadership Program That Enhances Students’ Academic Achievement At A Public High School In California In 2023–2024: An Instrumental Case Study, Raouf Fouad Srafen

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative, single instrumental case study was to explore the transformational leadership program that enhances students' academic achievement (grades 9–12) at a public high school, the Institute of Future Leaders (IFL), in California, in the academic year of 2023–2024. The theory guiding this study is transformational leadership theory because it is based on the relationship between the leader and follower, with a focus on inspiring and encouraging. This qualitative study allowed me to focus on a specific case to improve understanding and gain insights into the research topic. Purposeful sampling of people and site was conducted to …

The Teaching Librarian's Role In College Reading, Lori Spradley

The Southeastern Librarian

Reading is an essential function for everything people learn. The main goal of reading is for readers to interpret, comprehend, and receive meaning from the text. Academic reading differs from standard reading. It is a complex form implemented throughout all subjects in higher educational institutions. Academic reading involves a detailed and critical approach, whereas standard reading is casual and typically involves briefly skimming over information. Students entering college are often unprepared to comprehend the complicated reading materials and manage the heavy reading load required for their class assignments. To be successful in college, students must understand different terminology and styles …

Women Leaders, Personality Traits, Leadership Self-Efficacy, And Leader Role Occupancy, Lisa M. Bragg

PhD in Organizational Leadership

The purpose of this quantitative, correlational study was to examine the relationships among personality traits (extraversion), leadership self-efficacy (LSE), and leader role occupancy (LRO). Grounded in trait theory and social-cognitive perspectives, the study examined whether (a) LSE related to LRO, (b) personality traits (extraversion) related to LRO, (c) personality traits (extraversion) related to LSE, and (d) LSE moderated the personality trait–LRO relationship. Participants completed the Big Five Inventory (John et al., 1991) and the Multidimensional Leadership Self-Efficacy Scale (Bobbio & Manganelli, 2009). The correlational methodology involved descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation, chi-square test of independence, one-way analysis of variance, and Hayes’ …

Filipino Military Professionalism And Leadership Within The Context Of The Comprehensive Archipelagic Defense Strategy, Leslie Advincula-Lopez, Sharon A. Caringal, Julian V. Advincula Jr.

Development Studies Faculty Publications

The study examines how expertise, responsibility, and identity are developed and maintained by the services formally and informally and provides an updated understanding of how military professionalism functions today among the members of the AFP. The research results provide an updated understanding of how the members of the AFP dynamically construct military professionalism and leadership within the context of more complex and global security challenges. Specifically, it examines the construction and practice of professionalism and leadership across the different branches of service, the Philippine Army, the Air Force, and the Navy, as well as their geographic locations. Given the fluid …

An Effective And Organized Mentorship Model: Does It Affect The Emerging Leaders’ Call To Ministry And The Longevity Of The Universal Church?, Linda F. Parker

Doctor of Ministry (DMin)

The concept of mentorship is undeniably a fundamental tool for personal and professional growth. Statistics show that mentorship has a vital impact on both individuals and organizations. Could having a strategic mentoring plan in ministry make a meaningful difference for individuals and the Universal Church? This dissertation has explored the effects of mentorship and models based on experiences and strategies from those who identify as ministry leaders. For the Apostle Paul, Christ's life serves as a model and example, as he states, “Follow my example, as I follow Christ” (1 Cor 11:1). These words are the exact phrase that Jesus …

Fall Prevention In Home Care: The Introduction Of The Steadi Initiative As Evidence-Based Tool, Margarida Barbosa - Barreiro

All Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Scholarly Projects

Problem: Falls continue to be one of the leading causes of injury and mortality among older adults and remain a significant driver of healthcare utilization and cost. Within the home health setting, inconsistent practices in fall risk assessment and intervention have contributed to care gaps and increased patient vulnerability. The absence of a standardized, evidence-based process created the need for a structured quality improvement initiative to strengthen patient safety.

Aim of the Project: The purpose of this quality improvement project was to integrate the CDC’s Stopping Elderly Accidents, Deaths, and Injuries (STEADI) toolkit into home health visits to enhance the …

Temporal Eating Patterns And Ultra-Processed Food Consumption Assessed From Mobile Food Records Of Australian Adults, Janelle D. Healy, Satvinder S. Dhaliwal, Christina M. Pollard, Amelia J. Harray, Lauren Blekkenhorst, Fengqing Zhu, Deborah A. Kerr

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Background/Objective: Temporal eating patterns and ultra-processed food (UPF) consumption have independently been associated with obesity and non-communicable diseases. Little is known about the temporal patterns of UPF consumption, as data is challenging to collect. Temporal data can be extracted from mobile food records (mFRs). The aim of this study was to identify the temporal eating patterns of those consuming UPFs using an mFR. Methods: A combined sample of 243 young (18–30 years) and 148 older (>30 years) adults completed a 4-day mFR. The time of eating was extracted from the mFR image metadata. UPFs were identified using the NOVA …

Constitutional Dictatorship And Enemies Within: A Constitutional And Historical Analysis Of The Alien And Sedition Acts From John Adams To Donald Trump, Robert T.F. Downes

The Journal of International Relations, Peace Studies, and Development

This article traces the historical evolution of U.S. presidential emergency powers, examining how successive administrations have exploited national crises to consolidate executive authority and target perceived “enemies within” by criminalizing immigration, suppressing dissent, and suspending constitutional rights and liberties — including due process — in the name of national security. It begins by defining key concepts — constitutional dictatorship, states of exception, imperial presidency, and unitary executive theory — and situates these concepts within long-standing critiques of the U.S. Constitution’s flawed, anti-democratic design. The analysis surveys historical episodes, including John Adams’s 1798 Alien and Sedition Acts, Abraham …

The Missing Link: Gingos, Ingos, And The Fractured Promise Of Localization, Stella D. Bosch

Theses

This thesis examines collaboration gaps between international nongovernmental organizations (INGOs) and grassroots international nongovernmental organizations (GINGOs) in the localization agenda. While humanitarian and development work are often viewed separately, many organizations operate across both areas, shifting between emergency response and long-term engagement. For this research, “localization” refers to efforts aimed at addressing power imbalances and improving collaboration with local actors, especially in small island nations where vulnerabilities and capacities intersect. The study began as a comparative case design across Cabo Verde, Vanuatu, and Comoros but shifted to an explanatory approach after data constraints redirected the scope. Madagascar was added to …

Um United Way, University Of Mississippi

University Website Migration from WordPress

Do you want to help your neighbors when they need it most? Would you like to help children and youth learn as well as become successful members of your community? Sure you do! How? By supporting your United Way! Last year, the United Way of Oxford-Lafayette County (UWOLC) used your contributions to touch the lives of more than 20,000 people in the Lafayette-Oxford-University (LOU) community. We believe everyone deserves opportunities to have a good life: a quality education that leads to a stable job, enough income to support a family through retirement, and good health.

You can volunteer for one …

Latina Senior-Level Leaders In 2-Year Public Higher Education Institutions In Texas: A Life Story Narrative Study, Monica Yvette Escobar-Leblanc

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The study was designed to understand the personal and academic experiences of Latinas in senior-level leadership positions in 2-year public higher education institutions in Texas and the impact, if any, of these experiences on their leadership development. Although Latina undergraduate college enrollment has continued to increase, Latinas remain significantly underrepresented in senior-level leadership roles in higher education institutions. Using a life story narrative approach and LatCrit as the theoretical lens, this study examined leadership development across the life span from adolescence to middle adulthood. The thematic analysis of the four Latinas' life story narratives, employed in 2-year public higher education …

Development And Validation Of The Informal Safety Leadership Measure, Ashley L. Gill

Dissertations

This research develops and validates a measure of the emerging concept of informal safety leadership (ISL), which integrates elements of safety leadership and informal leadership to address a significant gap in organizational safety literature. Despite extensive research on formal safety leadership, there remains limited understanding of how non-managerial employees influence safety practices and culture within organizations. This dissertation develops and validates a comprehensive measure of informal safety leadership through a sequential mixed-methods approach incorporating a pilot study and two additional studies. First, a pilot study employed focus groups with health, safety, and environmental professionals to identify key dimensions of ISL. …

Leadership In The Accountability Era: Resisting Values Drift Through Deliberate System Design, Christine Haskell

The Journal of Values-Based Leadership

This study introduces values drift— the gradual, often unconscious misalignment between actions and stated commitments, driven less by misconduct than by lack of awareness, inertia, or performance pressure. As an emerging leadership risk, values drift is increasingly amplified by algorithmic influence and efficiency metrics. This research extends the Values Lifecycle Framework to examine how leaders sustain values alignment in high-velocity, data-driven environments. Through qualitative interviews with 19 CEOs, three leadership typologies emerged: Defaulters, who maintain stability through routine; Correctors, who stand at pivotal choice points where recognition and response are possible but not guaranteed; and Balancers, who embed …

Evolving Leadership And Increased Wisdom – Understanding Ethical Leadership, Tangela Rutledge, Cam Caldwell

The Journal of Values-Based Leadership

Laying the foundation for understanding ethical leadership, we begin this paper by identifying a framework for understanding the leader’s roles based upon five dimensions for understanding leadership’s duties and responsibilities. We present a model for ethical decision making that addresses the complex factors of ethical decision-making based upon a virtuous continuum. We then review five levels of leadership identified by Jim Collins (2001) in his research about leaders – identifying the special significance of Level 5 leaders who enabled their companies to evolve from “Good” to “Great.” We describe the characteristics of leaders in each of Collins’ five leadership levels …

Summer/Fall 2025

The Journal of Values-Based Leadership

No abstract provided.

Examining The Superintendent Search Process: A Sequential Mixed Methods Study On Superintendent Consultant Perspectives, Melissa A. Torrence

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study examines the Texas superintendent search process through a sequential mixed-methods design, integrating quantitative data analysis with qualitative insights from superintendent search consultants. Based on human capital theory, this research examines how candidate qualifications, experience, and perceived value influence selection decisions. The first phase analyzes archival data on Texas superintendents, using descriptive and inferential statistics to identify patterns and trends in hiring practices. The second phase gathers insights from superintendent search consultants through a semi-structured digital discussion, exploring their interpretations of the data and perspectives on key factors influencing the selection process. The combination of statistical analysis and consultant …