Digital Commons Network^™

The Black Side Of The Jesus Movement: Contemporary Gospel Music, Edward Daryl Duff

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This study investigates the impact of James Cleveland, Andraé Crouch, Edwin Hawkins, and Walter Hawkins on contemporary gospel music following the Jesus Movement revival. Their music emerged concurrently with the birth of contemporary Christian music; however, their significant musical innovations have not been widely recognized as part of the Jesus Movement revival. Figuratively speaking, contemporary gospel music and contemporary Christian music are like “fraternal twins,” yet there has been insufficient research linking them together. The rationale for this study is to uncover the potential social and cultural barriers that contributed to their exclusion and disconnect. This research identifies these barriers …

Professional Development Among Special Education Paraprofessionals: A Transcendental Phenomenological Study, Brandi A. Dejesus

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to describe the professional development experiences of special education paraprofessionals in two public school divisions in Virginia. The theory guiding this study was Knowles’ adult learning theory as it serves as a framework for understanding the key characteristics of professional development and adult learning. The central research question for this study was: What are the professional development experiences of special education paraprofessionals in two public school divisions in Virginia? In this phenomenological study, 10 participants engaged in interviews, focus groups, and letter-writing opportunities to share their experiences and perceptions. Participants’ responses were …

Implementation Of An Educational Intervention To Improve Antibiotic Stewardship In An Urgent Care Setting, Evelyn Jane Clinton

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Antimicrobial resistance is a leading threat to global health. Resistance to antibiotics in the United States continues to increase contributing to rising numbers of resistant infections and subsequent deaths. This highlights the critical need for increased focus on antibiotic stewardship efforts. Urinary tract infections are one of the leading indications for antibiotic prescription in the outpatient setting and research suggests that there is an opportunity for improvement in antibiotic stewardship efforts in this area. The PICOT question for this project is as follows: In an urgent care setting, does provider education on the current evidence for urinary tract infection diagnosis …

A Case Study For Faithful Biblical Expository Preaching And Teaching: The Transformation Of Members In The Anointed Church Of Jesus Christ, Elijah Narplah Wreh

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This DMIN action research evaluates the effectiveness of biblical expository preaching in demonstrating the inerrancy of Scripture and determining the impact of the twelve-week sermon series with the congregation at the Anointed Church of Jesus Christ in Elyria, Ohio. The process is designed to benefit the church’s congregation, help them faithfully obey God’s Word, and be drawn to God’s reality and the answers it provides through biblical preaching. The research methodology covers the application of biblical expository preaching. The congregation was instructed on various phraseological expressions, including expositional preaching, bibliocentric, Christocentric, inspired Scripture, applications, and illustrations, which helped enhance and …

From Assistance To Impact: The Expanding Role Of Undergraduate Teaching Assistants In Higher Education, Erin Measom

Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation is presented in a three-article format. It explores the evolving role of undergraduate teaching assistants (UTAs) in higher education, with a particular focus on how they facilitate interaction, engagement, and student success in online courses. As higher education institutions expand online learning and seek innovative ways to enhance student support, UTAs have emerged as key players in bridging the gap between students and instructors. The first article provides a scoping review of the literature on UTAs, tracing their historical evolution and examining their expanding role. While traditionally viewed as logistical or grading assistants, UTAs are increasingly taking on …

Mining Waste Materials In Road Construction, Nuha Mashaan, Bina Yogi

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Resource depletion and environmental degradation have resulted from the substantial increase in the use of natural aggregates and construction materials brought on by the growing demand for infrastructure development. Road building using mining waste has become a viable substitute that reduces the buildup of industrial waste while providing ecological and economic advantages. In order to assess the appropriateness of several mining waste materials for use in road building, this study investigates their engineering characteristics. These materials include slag, fly ash, tailings, waste rock, and overburden. To ensure long-term performance in pavement applications, this study evaluates their tensile and compressive strength, …

Using Microsoft Teams Class Notebook E-Portfolios As A Reflective Tool In Education For Sustainable Development Business Writing: Learners’ Perspectives, Mona Abdelfattah

Higher Learning Research Communications

Objective

This study investigates the efficacy of Microsoft Teams Class Notebook ePortfolios as a reflective tool in business writing courses. This study addresses gaps in the literature regarding ePortfolio use in business writing courses in F2F classes, focusing on student perceptions, its impact on writing skills, the convenience of the MS Teams Class Notebook, and how it fosters critical thinking regarding their learning which is one of the important goals of Education for sustainable development (ESD).

Methods

The iterative cross-sectional study was conducted over 13 weeks at a private college in Oman with 60 undergraduate students in two business writing …

Vitamin D And Cognition: Demographic Disparities In Memory Recall And Word Intrusion In A Multiethnic Cohort, Juan Lopez-Alvarenga, Isabel Omaña-Guzmán, Oscar Rosas-Carrasco, Jose E. Cavazos, Michael C. Mahaney, Gladys E. Maestre

School of Medicine Publications

Background

Vitamin D3 is essential for calcium metabolism and exerts pleiotropic effects, including neuroprotective activities in cognition. Its insufficiency has been linked to dementia, Alzheimer's disease, and cognitive impairments. The association between vitamin D3 and particular cognitive functions, including memory recall and word intrusion, remains imprecise, particularly among diverse ethnic and socioeconomic groups.

Objective

To examine the relationship between vitamin D3 levels with memory recall and word intrusion in individuals aged 60 and above, emphasizing demographic differences.

Methods

Data was collected from 2759 individuals in the NHANES 2011–2014 surveys. Cognitive performance was evaluated with the CERAD Word Learning, Animal Fluency, …

Dna-Damaging Chemotherapy Reshapes The Immune Landscape Of The Heart, Ruijun He

Arts & Sciences Graduate Student Theses and Dissertations

Heart failure and ischemic heart disease represent the most common causes of death among cancer survivors. With the tremendous progress in last few decades that empowered early cancer diagnosis and treatment, the population of cancer survivors has been rapidly growing and by 2040, the number is projected to be 26 million. However, despite extensive studies on chemotherapies, there exists a limited understanding of how exposure to chemotherapy reagents impacts heart function in the long term. Moreover, while the roles of immune landscape in heart diseases have recently been revealed, how chemotherapy reagents influence the cardiac immune cells is poorly understood. …

A Combined Cognitive Behavioral Therapy And Social Skill Intervention For Autistic Youth With Symptoms Of Anxiety, Ashley Dreiss

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Anxiety is one of the most prevalent co-occurring diagnoses in autistic youth, often exacerbating challenges in social functioning and quality of friendships. While social skills interventions and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) have demonstrated efficacy in addressing these difficulties separately, limited research has examined the integration of these approaches within an individualized format, while including measures of self-report and generalization of skills. This study investigates the development, implementation, and efficacy of a combined CBT/social skill intervention for autistic youth with symptoms of anxiety. Utilizing a single-case multiple baseline design, the study evaluates outcomes across levels of anxiety symptoms and social competence …

Brivaracetam For Spinal Cord Injury-Related Neuropathic Pain: Results Of A Pilot Double-Blinded, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial, Leslie R. Morse, Ricardo A. Battaglino, Nguyen Nguyen, Brian Devries, Abigail Welch, Ana Lucia Battaglino, Clas Linnman, Michael Stillman, Robert Wudlick, Joda Glossner, Grant Anderton, Richard Goldstein, Scott P. Falci

Department of Medicine Faculty Papers

OBJECTIVE: Assess feasibility, safety, and tolerability of 3 months of oral brivaracetam for severe (9-10/10) spinal cord injury-related neuropathic pain.

METHODS: We conducted a multisite pilot study where adults were randomized to 3 months of brivaracetam (100 mg BID) or placebo. Pain was assessed via the Brief Pain Inventory, the International Spinal Cord Injury Pain Basic Dataset (version 2.0), and a daily pain diary.

RESULTS: We enrolled 24 participants across 2 sites and 14 participants were included in the final analysis (n = 8 placebo, n = 6 brivaracetam). The drug was tolerated with expected, nonserious side effects (nausea if …

“Are You Worried About Going Into Withdrawal Today?” Retrospective Analysis Of Single-Question, Patient-Centered Screen For Substance Use And Care Linkage, Kory S. London, Beth Hurwitz, Jennifer Davis, Tareva Warrick-Stone, Alan Cherney, Frederick Randolph, Bernice Bradley-O'Toole, Kate Deis, Karen Alexander

Department of Emergency Medicine Faculty Papers

BACKGROUND: Emergency Department (ED) screening for substance use disorder (SUD) is limited by a lack of standardization and challenging clinical environments. Existing tools may be focused on informing clinicians rather than supporting patients. This study assessed a novel single-question screening tool to identify patients at risk of withdrawal and link those with opioid use disorder (OUD) to standardized treatment.

METHODS: A cross-sectional, retrospective study was conducted at two urban EDs in Philadelphia, PA, using electronic health record data between November 8, 2022, and February 28, 2025. Patients were included in the study if they arrived ambulatory to the emergency department, …

A Qualitative Case Study On Nature Relatedness In Advanced Alpinists And Members Of Subsistence Communities, Devon Martin

University Honors Theses

In light of the current possibility of climate disaster and ecological destruction, a branch of psychology has formed to investigate the human relationship with nature. Scaled surveys have been created to gauge nature relatedness with the hope that this construct might help predict environmental awareness and action towards environmental change. This undergraduate thesis aims to explore the concept of connection to nature through a detailed case study on two participants who are both advanced alpinists (high risk mountain recreationalists) and members of subsistence communities (procuring food directly from the environment). The participants were given scaled surveys of nature relatedness and …

Mindful Marcelo: The Process Of Writing And Illustrating A Culturally-Specific Children's Book For Early Psychoeducation, Liz Romero-Herrera

University Honors Theses

Socio-emotional learning (SEL) is imperative for young children to learn prosocial skills and how to identify and regulate their emotions. Most children begin to develop these skills in early childhood and depend on caregivers and teachers to model them. However, caregiver and teacher biases related to child gender and race can limit equitable access to high-quality SEL, placing male students of color at higher risk for maladaptive coping strategies. To address this gap, this thesis documents the creation of a culturally sensitive children's book focused on SEL concepts for young Latino boys. Throughout this thesis, I documented the process of …

A Study Of Servant Leadership On Gideon And Jephthah, Novella L. Crudup

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Jesus Christ advocates for servant leadership. He advocated for it and practiced it during his earthly ministry, and He advocates for it now because He is alive forevermore and is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Mark 10:45; Rev 1:18; Heb 13:8). This researcher was curious if servant leadership was practiced by Old Testament judges, namely Gideon and Jephthah. Both judges were victorious warriors for Israel, but were they focused on improving Israel? Or were they hopeful that a victory for Israel meant a better life for themselves?

Robert K. Greenleaf coined the term “servant leadership” in an essay titled …

Journalists' Perspectives On Social Media In The Fourth Estate And Its Impact On Public Trust In Politics, Ronnie Louis Collins

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Social/New media outlets like Facebook, X, Instagram, and YouTube have fundamentally altered the landscape of news delivery in the United States (U.S.), and across the globe. This qualitative study explored the impact of social media on public trust in politics, as told by experienced Fourth Estate practitioners. Thirty-one journalists from 24 different states, with ages ranging from 24 to 70 were interviewed for this study. Over a quarter of the journalists who participated in this research had more than 15 years of journalism experience. Five common themes were developed during this study: (1) Fake news and misinformation have varying negative …

A Hermeneutic Phenomenological Study Exploring Transition Planning For High School Seniors With An Individualized Education Program. Are We Doing Enough?, Chrystal A P Morgan

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this hermeneutic phenomenological study was to discover the views of high school seniors with an Individualized Education Program (IEP) and their experiences with transition planning. This study identified that there is more work to do in inclusive education in understanding how to implement transition planning goals and utilizing collaborative efforts from all educators, the students, and their parents. Most of the available research discussed building awareness towards implementing transition planning, which aimed at building self-awareness in the educator. The theory guiding this study is Bandura’s social cognitive theory. Bandura’s social cognitive theory is based on the belief …

The Procrastinating Perfectionist: Examining Task Self-Efficacy & Procrastination Types On Life Task Performance, Michelle Lynn Capozzi

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Perfectionism is a personality trait that can manifest either adaptively or maladaptively, typically developing during childhood and adolescence. Less research has examined perfectionistic adjustment issues in adulthood compared to childhood and adolescence. Research indicates that adult perfectionists tend to procrastinate on tasks related to academia and job settings. However, little is known about passive and active procrastination types among adult perfectionists when completing life tasks. Since self-efficacy can produce motivation, adult perfectionists may be more or less likely to procrastinate based on how they perceive their capabilities. This study examined how perfectionism types (maladaptive, adaptive, non-perfectionist) impacted life task performance …

The Role Of Divine Forgiveness On Depressive Experiences Through Self-Forgiveness And Self-Condemnation On Hispanic/Latino American Population: Serial Mediation Analyses, Betsaida Giotto

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This quantitative study examined the role of divine forgiveness on depressive experiences by self-forgiveness and self-condemnation in a sample of Hispanic/Latinos. Since research indicates a positive association between divine forgiveness, self-forgiveness, and well-being, this study’s importance includes gaining knowledge to increase well-being and exploring virtue ethics and theological perspectives. This research addressed a significant gap in the literature by interaction of divine forgiveness, self-forgiveness, self-condemnation, and depressive symptoms on the Hispanic/Latino population of believers. The research questions are whether the direct and indirect effects of divine forgiveness on depressive experiences will be serially mediated first by self-forgiveness and by self-condemnation. …

Sense Of Belonging In The Workplace: Development And Validation Of A Scale, Campbell C. Dunson

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

In this dissertation, I describe the development and validation of the Sense of Belonging in the Workplace Scale (SBWS). A comprehensive, multidisciplinary review of the belonging construct revealed five key components of a sense of belonging in the workplace: (1) accepted/liked, (2) known/understood, (3) purpose/status, (4) respected/voice, and (5) safety/trust. Scale validation began with a review of 40 initial items by a panel of 12 subject matter experts (SMEs). The items were then revised, and a pilot study involving 67 participants was conducted to test these 40 items through exploratory factor analysis and construct validation. The top-performing 25 items were …

The Not-So Wonderful World Of Disney: How Disney Films Usurp What Is In The Bible, Jacquelyn Irene Cortez

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Disney films are often chosen as entertainment for families and their main target audience is children. While many adults still choose to watch these films, there is a darker side to these films. A majority of these films depict magic and/or witchcraft in them. The ideologies of feminism and toxic masculinity are on display in many of their films. And finally, a lot of these films mock God and what is in the Bible. When looking at popular films such as The Little Mermaid and Frozen, these films are teaching children about magic and making deals with the devil. Disney’s …

Strengthening Communication Between Staff And Health Providers In A Mental Health Setting, Michael Tricoli

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Communication between nursing staff and providers is essential for supporting optimum patient outcomes. Each component of the communication process needs to be clearly defined to create an environment of safety for both patients and caregivers. The SBAR (situation, background, assessment, recommendation) is a nurse-driven protocol that is widely used as a communication and documentation template in health care organizations. This format is currently not being used effectively on the mental health units where the evidence-based project was implemented. Recognizing and reiterating the value of SBAR as a communication tool is necessary when communication deficits are noted. The purpose and scope …

Therapists’ Inclusion Of Forgiveness During Cognitive Processing Therapy For Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, Marybeth Goodman

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This study investigated whether the inclusion of an evidence-based forgiveness therapy during a course of Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) improved the efficacy of the treatment. This quasi-experimental, quantitative study examined 201 completed episodes of care from CPT-trained and rostered clinicians. Participants were divided into two groups. Group one contained clinicians who used no less than 46 minutes of an evidence-based forgiveness therapy intervention (n = 102), and group two (n = 99) contained clinicians who did not utilize an evidence-based forgiveness intervention. Pre- and post-treatment PTSD symptom severity was measured using the PTSD Checklist for …

Youth Discipleship Reimagined Through Digital Media, Julian L.V. Joyner

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This dissertation examines the development and implementation of MeXHim.com, a youth discipleship website designed to address the pressing need for accessible, relatable, and culturally relevant tools to engage middle and high school students in their spiritual journeys in Christ. The platform focuses on three core areas: Salvation, Prayer, and Church connection opportunities, providing a digital space where youth can explore faith-based areas and take actionable steps in their relationship with Christ. The project emerges in response to the growing disconnect between traditional church outreach methods and the digital-first lifestyles of younger generations, highlighting the need for innovative approaches to discipleship …

Improving New Graduate Nurse Clinical Judgment By Training Preceptors On The Use Of The Tanner Model, Denise E. Carr

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

New graduate nurses (NGNs) often enter the workforce with deficits in clinical judgment, which has been further exacerbated by pandemic-related limitations in clinical education. This project aimed to improve NGN clinical judgment by training preceptors to use the Tanner Clinical Judgment Model (TCJM) and Lasater Clinical Judgment Rubric (LCJR). A quasi-experimental evaluation design was used to compare outcomes between two groups of preceptor–preceptee pairs. Half of the preceptor participants received training on the TCJM and LCJR, while the other half did not. Clinical judgment development was measured using the LCJR pre- and post-orientation. Additional preceptor feedback regarding the implementation and …

Learning Management Systems Special Needs Support In K-12 Schools: A Qualitative Phenomenological Study, Eric Ryan Levels

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to describe the use of learning management systems to improve student learning outcomes for K-12 special education teachers at Aldridge Independent School District in the United States. This study followed Moustakas's (1994) transcendental phenomenological research methodology to describe the lived experiences of special education teachers using learning management systems. Moustakas explores the techniques and principles involved in describing human experiences to uncover their underlying essence and meaning. The central research question aims to explore the lived experiences of special education teachers using learning management systems in K-12 schools within the Aldridge Independent School …

The Discovery, Communication, And Implementation Of New Geologic Findings: Examining The Cascadia Earthquake, Saylor Brainard

University Honors Theses

The Cascadia Subduction Zone, located off the Coast of the Pacific Northwest, is at risk of generating a 9.0 magnitude earthquake in the near future. Despite its significance, the discovery of the seismic potential of Cascadia didn't occur until 1987, when geologist Brian Atwater searched for non-traditional forms of earthquake evidence. As decades of continued research fleshed out Atwater's initial discovery, the implications associated with the discovery became apparent, presenting Washington and Oregon with the high probability that a massive earthquake will take place within the next century. Communicating the severity of this geologic discovery to both the public and …

Asian Values In International Dispute Settlement: Issues Of Parallel Jurisdiction, Haijing Huang, Tze Chin Ong

Indonesian Journal of International Law

Asian Values promoted significant economic growth to Asian societies in 1990s but were challenged by the 1997-1998 financial crisis. Engaging in regional trade agreements (RTAs) can enhance market access and keep regulatory cooperation, the number of RTAs has grown explosively in Asian countries. Most of these RTAs may include more far-reaching form of dispute settlement provisions distinct from or parallel to the World Trade Organization (WTO). Historical analysis is employed to examine the applicable principles of Asian Values and their influences on economic growth and dispute settlement. Additionally, the article also conducts case study analysis of several trade disputes with …

Analysis Of Personality Traits, Intelligence Level And Ability To Cope With Stressful Situations And Their Impact On The Evaluation Of Judo Fights, Maciej Kostrzewa, Jan Supinski, Slawomir Kownacki, Miłosz Drozd, Anna Ścisłowska-Czarnecka, Jarosław Markowski, Jan Pilch, Alicja Markiel, Marcin Żak, Adam Maszczyk

Baltic Journal of Health and Physical Activity

Background: The aim of the study presented in this article was to conduct an analysis that would answer the research question: do personality traits such as extraversion, neuroticism, openness to experience, agreeableness, conscientiousness, intelligence level, and ability to cope with stressful situations correlate with the assessment of judo fights? Materials and Methods: Ninety individuals participated in the study, including international-class referees, national-class referees, coaches, and active judo athletes. The study used a correlational analysis approach to examine the relationships between personality traits and fight assessment criteria in judo. Results: The results indicate that in the referees' group, there is a …

Ethical Leadership And The Nelson Mandela Model, Abeer Mahmood Awwad

Journal of the Association of Arab Universities for Research in Higher Education مجلة اتحاد الجامعات العربية للبحوث في التعليم العالي

This study explores the concept of ethical leadership through the model of Nelson Mandela, a prominent figure in the fight against apartheid in South Africa. It focuses on how Mandela applied principles of forgiveness, reconciliation, and social justice to achieve a peaceful transition from an oppressive regime to a democratic society. Through a comprehensive analysis of Mandela's leadership style, the study illustrates how his commitment to ethical integrity contributed to national unity and alleviated social tensions. The study employs a qualitative methodology, including the analysis of historical records, speeches, and academic articles, and provides insights into how contemporary leaders can …