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Circuit And Cell Class Specific Effects Of Psilocybin And Serotonergic Psychedelics, Pasha Davoudian

Yale Graduate School of Arts and Sciences Dissertations

Psychedelics are compounds that can alter perception and cognition and are being explored as treatments for depression, anxiety, and substance-use disorders. Yet, the mechanisms by which they reshape brain function remain poorly understood. This dissertation presents four studies in rodent models examining how psychedelics act across synapses, microcircuits, and whole-brain networks. Chapter 1 shows that a single dose of psilocybin promotes plasticity in the frontal cortex. Chapter 2 maps brain-wide activity induced by psilocybin and ketamine, linking shared and distinct effects to gene expression. Chapter 3 extends this approach to multiple psychiatric drugs, using machine learning to classify drug-specific circuit …

Evaluation Of Passive Sampling And Emerging Bulk Air Disinfection Technologies To Monitor And Mitigate Airborne Viral Exposure In Indoor Environments, Darryl Marissa Angel

Yale Graduate School of Arts and Sciences Dissertations

The COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated the significance of understanding the airborne route of transmission for respiratory viruses and clarified the need to monitor and mitigate the presence of respiratory viral aerosols in indoor congregate settings. The goal of this dissertation is to evaluate the ability of emerging technologies to detect and reduce infectious viral aerosols within occupied indoor spaces. This work first explores the ability of a wearable passive sampler to collect viral aerosols for personal exposure assessments to SARS-CoV-2. The sampling material, polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), efficiently collected enveloped viral aerosols, with a calculated uptake rate commensurate with previously developed passive aerosol …

The Science Of Not Knowing: Systems Thinking Between Vienna And The United States, 1900-1972, Libby S. O'Neil

Yale Graduate School of Arts and Sciences Dissertations

This dissertation is a history of the interdisciplinary field of systems theory from the perspective of Central European scientists and intellectuals who migrated to North America during the 20th century. It is a story about how people, ideas, and techniques circulated in new ways across a period of global upheaval, about how the philosophy of science became a stage for urgent political questions, and about how scientists tried to grasp the whole without surrendering authority over its constituent parts. This project reveals how European interwar debates were encoded into technical practices of control and communication in the postwar United States, …

Inference Of Somatic Selection In Cancer: Methods And Applications, Jeffrey Mandell

Yale Graduate School of Arts and Sciences Dissertations

Cancers are predominantly understood as diseases in which somatic tissue lineagesacquire genetic or epigenetic alterations that confer traits which lead to aberrant cell growth. Such phenotypes include maintenance of proliferative signaling, resistance of apoptotic signaling, and immune suppression. In a microcosm of classical evolution, which progresses via random genetic drift and natural selection, somatic cells accumulate mutations throughout the life course. The small subset of mutations (or other heritable alterations) that provide proliferative advantages to the cells in which they occur tend to gain prevalence in subsequent generations, which may eventually lead to clonal evolution of cancer cell traits. While …

Identifying Quantitative Trait Loci Of Genetically Regulated Molecules To Reveal Biological Mechanisms In Complex Traits, Chen Lin

Yale Graduate School of Arts and Sciences Dissertations

Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have identified thousands of genetic variants associated with complex traits and diseases, but most of these variants reside in non-coding regions, making their biological functions challenging to study and interpret. To investigate the potential roles of these variants, expression quantitative trait locus (eQTL) analyses associate genetic variants with gene expression, providing insights into their regulatory roles. Integrating eQTL results with GWAS summary statistics has motivated transcriptome-wide association studies (TWAS), which focus on testing associations between imputed genetically regulated gene expression (GReX) and complex traits, offering a powerful gene-level view of genetic contributions to disease. Despite substantial …

Exploration Of The Mechanisms Regulating Genomic Stability In Plants, Wenxin Yuan

Yale Graduate School of Arts and Sciences Dissertations

Genomic stability is a cornerstone of cellular integrity, with implications spanning genetic engineering, epigenetic regulation, and disease modeling. However, most studies rely on yeast or mammalian models, leaving significant gaps in our understanding of plant chromatin biology and genome stability mechanisms. Exploring the conserved and divergent processes regulating genome stability in plants has become increasingly important, especially as global climate change threatens crop yields and biodiversity. Furthermore, the developmental resilience of plants provides a unique opportunity to study genes essential in mammals, offering translational insights for agriculture and human health. This dissertation investigates the molecular and genetic mechanisms underpinning T-DNA …

Capturing Lived Experiences Of Parents With Chronically Absent Students, Cenitra Williams

Doctor of Education Dissertations

Chronic absenteeism in K-12 public schools represents a significant national crisis, with millions of students missing 15 or more days each year. This transcendental phenomenological study investigated the lived experiences of parents whose children face chronic absenteeism, aiming to uncover the barriers and challenges that hinder consistent school attendance. Through qualitative, semi-structured interviews with parents from a small school district in upstate South Carolina, this research identified key themes related to absenteeism, including health concerns—both physical and mental—challenging morning routines, and life challenges linked to home and school environments. Findings revealed that health issues often impede the ability of students …

The Recruitment, Retention, And Motivation Of Black Male Teachers In K-12 Schools: A Perception Study, Ann M. Brame

Doctor of Education Dissertations

Black male teachers have been underrepresented in K–12 classrooms since integration in the United States. This mixed methods exploratory sequential study investigated the recruitment, retention, and motivation of Black male teachers. The foundation of Maslow’s (1943) Hierarchy of Needs, Herzberg’s (1959) Two-Factor Theory, and Bell’s (1980) Critical Race Theory guided the investigation of the psychological, structural, and social-cultural variables that affect the experiences and retention of Black males in education. The quantitative phase examined survey data to determine patterns aligned with job satisfaction, motivation, and retention. Subsequently, the qualitative phase explored the individuals lived experiences through interviews that offered insights …

A Qualitative Study On The Perspective Of Instructional Coaching Through The Lens Of Teachers, Coaches, And Administrators, Lamonica D. Mcnair

Doctor of Education Dissertations

Instructional coaching can be a key puzzle piece in teacher improvement and the academic success of students. This qualitative study examined the perspectives of administrators, teachers, and instructional coaches on the role that instructional coaches play in education and how the process of instructional coaching works. Further, the study sought to determine the perceptions of specific supports and barriers to effective coaching, and to examine the effectiveness of coaching through the experiences of both the coach and the teacher. It also examined the role of the school leader in an effective coaching program. Knight’s (2022c) The Definitive Guide to Instructional …

The Impact Of High-Stakes Summative Reading Outcome Measures On Student Self-Efficacy, Hayley M. Johnson

Doctor of Education Dissertations

The purpose of this mixed methods study was to explore the influence of high-stakes reading tests on student self-efficacy, or confidence, as readers. The study focused on sixth-grade students who had taken the reading end-of-grade (EOG) test in Grades 3, 4, and 5. I analyzed their third-grade reading EOG scores to determine if that score was predictive of the fourth-grade reading EOG score and repeated the same analysis to see if fourth-grade reading EOG scores were predictive of fifth-grade scores. Then, those sixth-grade students' reading self-efficacies, as measured by the Butz and Usher (2015) Self-Efficacy Survey, were compared to their …

The Influence Of High School Teacher Perceptions Of Plcs On Eoc Scores In A Rural South Carolina School District, Marsharika M. Moody-Henegan

Doctor of Education Dissertations

This mixed methods convergent parallel study addressed high school teacher perceptions of the impact professional learning communities (PLCs) have on teaching practices and Biology I end-of-course assessment scores of students. This study is modeled after a study conducted by Dawkins (2020). Research participants in this study were science teachers from three high schools in one rural school district in South Carolina. Anonymous online teacher surveys captured quantitative data using Likert scales and qualitative data using open-response questions. Additional quantitative data were collected from a state-mandated Biology I end-of-course assessment. DuFour’s (2004) model of a PLC provided the conceptual framework, and …

Executive Function Skills Of First-Year College Students With Disabilities, Carrie Minnich

Doctor of Education Dissertations

First-year college students with disabilities face many challenges as they transition to postsecondary education. Strong executive function skills can help make the transition easier. The purpose of this mixed-methods study was to explore these students’ perceptions of their executive function skills and how they described their challenges and successes. Quantitative data were collected using the Executive Skills Questionnaire-Revised and reviewed to learn about their executive function skills. Qualitative data were collected from interview transcripts and analyzed to learn about their challenges, successes, and perspectives on their skills. Descriptive statistics indicated that students with disabilities rated most areas of executive function …

Exploring Characteristics, Supports, And Barriers For Early College High School Students, Shanetta R. Waller

Doctor of Education Dissertations

The purpose of this study was threefold: to explore and describe characteristics of a successful early college high school student and early college high school supports and barriers. Two focus groups, one with early college high school graduates and one with staff, shared their perspectives on student success characteristics, supports, and barriers. Using North Carolina Department of Public Instruction’s (2023a) Portrait of a Graduate, Maslow’s (1943) Theory of Motivation, and Goleman’s (1995) Theory of Emotional Intelligence, the study led to three significant findings. First, early college high school students must be driven and motivated with a concrete plan for their …

Perceptions, Limitations, And Impacts Of An Outdoor Learning Garden On Elementary-Age Students In A Rural North Carolina District, Kimberly M. Smith

Doctor of Education Dissertations

Outdoor learning gardens are environments where science meets the wonder of a child as they cultivate crops within the boundaries of their schoolyard. When students have opportunities to leave the four walls of their classroom and move outdoors, their minds are awakened and they can explore, analyze, and synthesize information. This mixed methods research investigation took place in a rural North Carolina district on an elementary school campus. The study sought to consider the perceptions of teachers and parents of outdoor learning and the limitations that prevent teachers from including experiential learning opportunities for students. The methodology for the research …

Exploring Compassion Fatigue Among Core Subject Middle Grades Teachers: A Quantitative Study, Michelle L. Hickey

Doctor of Education Dissertations

Research has shown increased rates of attrition among K-12 teachers since 2021, with middle school teachers being the most dissatisfied. Burnout and job-related stresses are cited as the main causes of teachers leaving the classroom. Teachers experience the same or higher levels of job-related stress as nurses, doctors, EMTs, and social workers while receiving little or no training about compassion fatigue. This study examined compassion fatigue among a sample of core subject middle school teachers from one upstate South Carolina school district. An online survey, informed by a review of current literature, revealed moderate levels of compassion fatigue among the …

The Influence Of Letrs Volume 1 On Elementary Teachers’ Perceptions And Practices Around Systematic Phonics Instruction In A Rural School In North Carolina, Katherine P. Wise

Doctor of Education Dissertations

This dissertation is a mixed methods study that examined the influence Language Essentials for Teachers of Reading and Spelling (LETRS) Volume 1 had on elementary educators’ perceptions and practices around systematic phonics instruction in a rural, Title I elementary school in North Carolina. Adult learning theory was the theoretical framework used to ground this study. A sequential explanatory design was used: Quantitative data were collected through surveys, and qualitative data gathered through interviews were used to help frame and explain the quantitative data. Both data sources overwhelmingly supported that the completion of this professional learning positively influenced teachers’ perceptions of …

A Program Evaluation Of Positive Behavioral Interventions And Supports In A Rural Title I Elementary School, Thomasina L. Curenton

Doctor of Education Dissertations

This study evaluated the implementation and effectiveness of a Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) in a rural Title I elementary school. PBIS, multi-tiered framework, uses proactive strategies to enhance academic and behavioral outcomes. While effective in fostering positive school climates and reducing exclusionary discipline, implementation fidelity remains challenging, particularly in resource-constrained school settings. Teachers often face barriers like insufficient training and resources. Using a mixed methods approach, this study analyzed PBIS’s impact on student behavior, teacher preparedness, and school climate. Quantitative data included office discipline referrals and teacher surveys, while qualitative data were gathered through interviews and focus groups. …

Ripple Effects: A Study On Organizational Turnover Within A State Education Agency, Kayce L. Cook

Doctor of Education Dissertations

This study examined employee turnover within a state-level government agency, emphasizing its impact on organizational efficiency, program continuity, and educational outcomes. Utilizing Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs and Herzberg’s Two-Factor Theory, the study investigated the underlying causes of turnover and identified strategic solutions for improving employee retention. A mixed methods sequential explanatory design integrated quantitative survey data with qualitative insights from anonymous open-ended responses and confidential interviews, providing a comprehensive understanding of employee experiences. Findings revealed that work-life imbalance, lack of career advancement, ineffective leadership, and inadequate communication were among the drivers of turnover. Employees expressed frustration over pay inequities, limited …

Co-Teaching: An Examination Of How High School Teachers' Perceptions Impact Collective Teaching Practices In One North Carolina District, Amber L. Tuttle

Doctor of Education Dissertations

This multiple-site case study investigated how high school teachers’ perceptions impacted their collective teaching practices. It also provided information on how and if the six models of co-teaching designed by Cook and Friend (1995) were being utilized. Qualitative data were gathered through surveys, observations, document analysis, and interviews with regular and special education teachers at four district high schools. Three key findings were determined. First, there was a lack of understanding of the six co-teaching models and how to incorporate them successfully. Second, based on observations, teachers only utilized one of the six models created by Friend. The third and …

The Appalachia Effect On School Administrator Retention, Jeremy D. Cauley

Doctor of Education Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to identify why school administrators in Appalachia North Carolina chose to stay in their current positions and to discover what factors impacted their decisions to stay. The study’s findings address what school administrators indicate as contributing factors when deciding to stay in their current school district. The results can inform district administrators in effectively retaining school principals in Appalachia North Carolina. After reviewing and studying existing data on the retention of school principal leadership, a survey was created based on principal retention and delivered to 62 principals in Appalachia North Carolina. Six participants volunteered …

Candidates' Perceptions Of A University's Consultancy Requirements With For-Profit/Nonprofit Partnering Organizations, Candace S. Parson

Doctor of Education Dissertations

This dissertation in practice is an action research study that investigated the perceptions of students within the Doctor of Education in Organizational Leadership (DEOL) program under the University College of Education experiences in consultancy organizational partnerships in terms of key benefits, key factors, and barriers/limitations that existed in the partnership. This study provided feedback to the University College of Education that was used to understand candidates’ experiences, it identified continuous improvement and developmental opportunities that will be used to evaluate consultancy organizational partnerships. A qualitative research design was used to collect data from 10 DEOL students via one-on-one interviews. The …

123 Studies Use In The Review, Abdul-Akeem Sadiq

Faculty Scholarship and Creative Works

No abstract provided.

Fp-25-17 Married Same-Sex And Different-Sex Couples: A 2023 Demographic Portrait, Krista K. Westrick-Payne, Wendy D. Manning

National Center for Family and Marriage Research Family Profiles

No abstract provided.

Study On The Interaction Between Agricultural Practices, Religious Activities, And Cultural Relics, Fengyi Zhou, Isarachai Buranaut

NAKHARA (Journal of Environmental Design and Planning)

Community participation and how socio-cultural practices in cultural landscapes affect the protection of cultural heritage and their importance in the field of heritage protection among countries in the Mekong River Basin. This is a case study based on qualitative research methods and the theoretical framework of the eco-cultural complex, which aims to explore how community groups in Jianchuan County, Yunnan Province, China, participate in the shaping and protection of the cultural landscape. The study shows that religious activities run through all stages of the agricultural cycle, and agricultural practices have a profound impact on their content and form. Religious activities …

Mixed-Use Developments And Urban Megaprojects In The Global South : A Systematic Review And Interpretation Of A Blurred Intersection, Federico Puggioni, Nij Tontisirin

NAKHARA (Journal of Environmental Design and Planning)

This article examines the intersection of two distinct strains of urban studies: mixed-use development and urban megaprojects, through a systematic review of literature. One strain focuses on integrating diverse uses and functions within a single space, known as 'mixed-use'. The other originates from the technical complexities of megaprojects adapted to architecture and urban design. The article seeks to address a gap in the literature by clarifying the conceptual yet geographical overlaps between these two strains, which often have broad, blurred boundaries; it proposes a novel framework for defining and interpreting the related literature at this conceptual intersection.

Perceptions Of Landscape Quality In The Historic City Center Of Konya, Türkiye : A Multi-Site User Satisfaction Analysis, Ahmet Akay

NAKHARA (Journal of Environmental Design and Planning)

This study aims to assess user satisfaction regarding the landscape design of public spaces in historic city centers. The design of these spaces, particularly within the context of historic city centers, plays a pivotal role in preserving local identity and fostering harmonious living environments. The existing literature generally focuses on single areas or broader concepts, whereas this research stands out with its comparative examination of four different public spaces in the historic city center of Konya, filling a critical gap in user-oriented evaluations of landscape design in such environments. To provide a comprehensive user experience analysis, the study systematically determined …

Sustainable Construction Using Aragonite Sand From Mussel Shell Biowaste : Enhancing Building Material Development, Runda Aduldejcharas

NAKHARA (Journal of Environmental Design and Planning)

This study investigates the feasibility of using aragonite sand made from Perna viridis mussel shells as a sustainable substitute for natural sand in building materials. Growing demand for natural sand has resulted in serious environmental issues, such as habitat destruction, resource depletion, and elevated greenhouse gas emissions, driven by fast urbanization and infrastructural expansion. The goal of this project is to encourage sustainable building methods, lessen environmental deterioration, and alleviate sand scarcity by turning mussel shell biowaste into aragonite sand.  X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray fluorescence (XRF), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were among the chemical and microstructural tests used to …

Dynamics Of Landscape Transformation And Governance Of Bangkok’S Urban Waterways, Wanida Numsuk

NAKHARA (Journal of Environmental Design and Planning)

This paper critically examines the shortcomings of traditional Thai institutions in urban governance focusing on Bangkok Urban Waterways (BUW) conceptualised as dynamic and essential landscape elements. Framing BUW through the lens of ‘landscape governance’, the paper explores how institutional practices and management actions have led to erosion of cultural heritage, ineffective flood control, and the marginalisation of local communities. The research asks: To what extent does the governance of BUW contribute to these changing landscapes? To do this, the paper draws on extensive qualitative fieldwork, including interviews with government agencies, experts, practitioners, NGOs, and in-depth fieldwork with residents. The findings …

2025 Los Angeles County Governance Reform: Fall Registered Voter Poll, Thomas And Dorothy Leavey Center For The Study Of Los Angeles

StudyLA Data Briefs

ABOUT THIS STUDY

The 2025 LA County Governance Reform Survey conducted by StudyLA involved a 15 minute online survey of 1,004 registered voters in LA County. The survey was conducted in English and Spanish between October 16th and October 28th, 2025 and respondents were asked a range of questions concerning Los Angeles and governance reform.

ABOUT THIS REPORT

Survey results are presented in two sections: (1) toplines, or total responses for each question and (2) crosstabs, or all questions crossed by major demographics. The following report presents data pertaining to all substantive questions. This survey was made possible through a …

Medical-Grade Honey And Standard Dressings In Burn Wound Care: Evaluating Effectiveness, Cost, And Patient Outcomes, Chloe Shin, Andrew Golonka

Nursing | Student Research Posters

Background: Burn injuries burden the healthcare system globally as silver sulfadiazine (SSD) is the standard treatment even though it delays healing and is highly costly. Medical-grade honey (MGH) demonstrates superior antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties, however, there are still evidence gaps when comparing effectiveness, cost efficiency, and patient centered outcomes. Purpose: This study aims to compare MGH and SSD amongst these gaps to inform evidence based burn care. Methods: A randomized controlled trial will enroll 100 people between 25-50 years of age with first and second degree burns, < 20% total body surface area within two hospital burn units. Participants will be assigned to either MGH or SSD treatment. The study will be a single blind design where dermatologists evaluating the wound photographs will not know the treatment given. Primary outcomes include wound healing time, infection rates, and patient reported pain scores. Secondary outcomes will focus on cost effectiveness analyses and patient quality of life. Standardized protocols will be implemented for data collection, wound assessment, and safety monitoring. Results: We anticipate that MGH will have lower infection rates, promote faster wound healing, improved outcomes from patient reports, and better cost effectiveness through shorter hospital stays and reduced medical treatments compared to SSD. Conclusion: This study will provide evidence comparing MGH and SSD across economic, clinical, and patient centered outcomes. If our hypothesis aligns with the results, MGH could be a new evidence based standard in burn care as it offers many advantages over SSD in patient comfort, healing efficiency, and medical costs. The findings will provide areas for future research, especially long term outcome and a bigger patient population.