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Mathematical Drought: The Impact Of Insufficient Instructional Resources In Middle School Math Education, Artia N. Alston Jan 2025

Mathematical Drought: The Impact Of Insufficient Instructional Resources In Middle School Math Education, Artia N. Alston

Doctor of Education Dissertations

This research analyzed and examined the impact of resource quality and availability within middle school math instruction within a selected school district. The VRIO framework explored how value, rarity, imitability, and organization influence instructional effectiveness and resource allocation. Collecting data through interviews and questionnaires from teachers and administrators helped to identify gaps in professional development, technology access, and instructional materials. The study revealed the disparities in resource allocation that have contributing factors such as school demographics, external financial support, and funding mechanisms. This examination identified a misalignment between available resources and instructional math needs affecting student performance. These results underscored …

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An Analysis Of Elementary Teacher Working Conditions And Retention In North Carolina During The Initial Years Of The Covid-19 Pandemic, Tieshia S. Pickett Jan 2025

An Analysis Of Elementary Teacher Working Conditions And Retention In North Carolina During The Initial Years Of The Covid-19 Pandemic, Tieshia S. Pickett

Doctor of Education Dissertations

The study aimed to investigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on elementary teachers' perceptions of their working conditions and immediate professional plans in North Carolina. It compared 2018, 2020, and 2024 data to identify differences in perceptions of the pandemic. Using a nonexperimental quantitative design, the study analyzed archived data from the North Carolina Teacher Working Conditions Survey (NCTWCS) obtained from the North Carolina Education Research Data Center (NCERDC). The survey data covered pre-COVID-19 (2018), during COVID-19 (2020), and post-COVID-19 (2024) periods. The analysis focused on eight constructs: time, community support and involvement, facilities and resources, managing student conduct, …

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The Impact Of Professional Learning Communities On Teacher Efficacy In North Carolina K–12 Public Schools: A Comparison Of Beginning And Experienced Teachers, Geneva Bell Jan 2025

The Impact Of Professional Learning Communities On Teacher Efficacy In North Carolina K–12 Public Schools: A Comparison Of Beginning And Experienced Teachers, Geneva Bell

Doctor of Education Dissertations

Teacher efficacy remains a critical factor in education, particularly within North Carolina K–12 public schools, where beginning and experienced educators encounter distinct professional challenges. Professional learning communities (PLCs) demonstrate potential in enhancing teacher efficacy, yet the differentiated impact across career stages remains understudied. This mixed methods study examined relationships between PLC dimensions and teacher efficacy among beginning and experienced educators. The Teachers' Sense of Efficacy Scale (TSES) and the Professional Learning Communities Assessment-Revised (PLCA-R) were administered to 96 participants to analyze statistical relationships between PLC components and teacher efficacy. Results indicated significant correlations between shared vision, supportive leadership, and collaborative …

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Art. Iii-Gpt, Nick Mckinley Jan 2025

Art. Iii-Gpt, Nick Mckinley

Catholic University Journal of Law and Technology

This article recommends the development and deployment of an Artificial Intelligence (AI) large language model (LLM) tool by and for the federal judiciary. LLMs are revolutionizing legal practice, and judges should accordingly be familiar and in regular practice with LLM technology. LLMs can greatly assist the courts by increasing operational efficiency and public access to justice. Particularly, LLMs can improve efficiency in legal research, legal writing, and administration. LLMs present limitations or potential problems in the form of prompt dependency and harmful bias, limitations of data in their training sets, privacy and confidentiality, and the production of false or fabricated …

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Influence Of Sociocultural Aspects And Home Modification On Fall Risks Mitigation Among The Elderly In Thailand, Sumavalee Chindapol Jan 2025

Influence Of Sociocultural Aspects And Home Modification On Fall Risks Mitigation Among The Elderly In Thailand, Sumavalee Chindapol

NAKHARA (Journal of Environmental Design and Planning)

This study investigates the impact of sociocultural dimensions on home modifications aimed at mitigating fall risks among elderly individuals residing in community settings. Personal measurements and questionnaire interviews were conducted across five regions in Thailand. Additionally, fall risk assessments were performed on the households of the elderly participants. These assessments incorporated both personal health factors and environmental risks associated with falls, resulting in quantifiable scores. The factors included health conditions, body size, sociocultural factors such as family conditions, physical-cultural aspects of elevated houses, bathroom and bedroom. The research revealed that these factors are significantly associated with fall risk (ρ <0.01), except body dimensions. Differences in body size among elderly individuals in different regions were significantly related to incidences of fall risk (ρ <0.05 in Chiang Mai female, Khonkaen male, Rangsit female, and Songkhla female). The contribution of this research is that different regions have varying body limitations and living culture. It was concluded that elderly females in Chiang Mai are at the highest risk of falling due to body shrinkage, residing in vernacular houses with hazards, and living alone. Overall, universal design may not be directly applicable for home modification in each region.  Consequently, the study suggested that home modifications alone may not offer a comprehensive solution for mitigating fall risks as sociocultural factors related to living conditions also play a significant role in shaping these outcomes.

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Sales Rate Prediction For Condominiums In The Bangkok Metropolitan Region Using Deep Learning : Identification Of Determinants And Model Validation, Kongkoon Tochaiwat, Patcharida Seniwong Jan 2025

Sales Rate Prediction For Condominiums In The Bangkok Metropolitan Region Using Deep Learning : Identification Of Determinants And Model Validation, Kongkoon Tochaiwat, Patcharida Seniwong

NAKHARA (Journal of Environmental Design and Planning)

The sales rate is very important information for condominium design and development processes. However, predicting it accurately requires substantial expertise and experience. This research investigated the use of a Deep Learning model to predict condominium sales rates and explored various determinants that influence sales rates. The research was done by (1) identifying the determinant factors from the literature review, (2) collecting 199 data from market survey reports, (3) creating a Deep Learning model that can predict the sales rate of a condominium by its determinant factors, and (4) verifying the model by checking its coefficient of determination (R2 value). The …

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Restoring Tranquility : Tackling Traffic Noise For Enhanced Comfort In Indonesia Kaya Park, Semarang City, Indonesia, David Suwarno Kusweanto, Natania Nysa Pertiwi N. S., Eldisya Martha Jebatu Jan 2025

Restoring Tranquility : Tackling Traffic Noise For Enhanced Comfort In Indonesia Kaya Park, Semarang City, Indonesia, David Suwarno Kusweanto, Natania Nysa Pertiwi N. S., Eldisya Martha Jebatu

NAKHARA (Journal of Environmental Design and Planning)

The comfort of a landscape can be seen from the microclimate and traffic noise in the landscape. Traffic noise, including tire and engine noise, is a common disturbance, particularly in cities, and can lead to diseases. Indonesia Kaya Park, located in Mugassari, Semarang City, is an urban park and public space managed by the Djarum Foundation. Despite numerous studies evaluating its accessibility and biophilic elements, the condition of traffic noise nor potential interventions have been considered. The research question aims to understand the traffic noise condition of Indonesia Kaya Park and identify necessary interventions. The study used a mixed methodology, …

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Evaluating And Optimizing Acoustical Reverberation Time And Material Cost For Classrooms Using Building Information Modeling (Bim) And Generative Design (Gd) Tools, Chavanont Khosakitchalert, Taki Eddine Seghier Jan 2025

Evaluating And Optimizing Acoustical Reverberation Time And Material Cost For Classrooms Using Building Information Modeling (Bim) And Generative Design (Gd) Tools, Chavanont Khosakitchalert, Taki Eddine Seghier

NAKHARA (Journal of Environmental Design and Planning)

Reverberation time (RT) measures how long sound takes to decay in a space, affecting speech intelligibility and sound quality. Calculating RT using Sabine’s formula is time-consuming and error-prone due to manual extraction of room volume and material surface areas. Balancing RT and cost further complicates material selection. This paper automates RT calculation and optimization using Building Information Modeling (BIM) and generative design (GD). Sound absorption coefficients are input into a BIM model’s material properties, and visual programming (VP) extracts room geometries, materials, and absorption coefficients to compute RT and material costs. A multi-objective optimization algorithm in Autodesk GD identifies the …

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The Impact Of Home Environmental Hazards On Subjective Health Among Healthy Elderly Adults In Thailand, Arunya Tuicomepee, Kitti-On Sirisuk, Juthatip Wiwattanapantuwong, Somnuke Gulsatitporn, Trirat Jarutach Jan 2025

The Impact Of Home Environmental Hazards On Subjective Health Among Healthy Elderly Adults In Thailand, Arunya Tuicomepee, Kitti-On Sirisuk, Juthatip Wiwattanapantuwong, Somnuke Gulsatitporn, Trirat Jarutach

NAKHARA (Journal of Environmental Design and Planning)

Thailand's aging population includes a growing number of near-centenarians and centenarians living at home. Grounded in Lawton’s Ecological Theory of Aging, this study aimed to examine whether an unsafe home environment (outdoor, indoor, and additional hazards) has an indirect negative effect on subjective health among elderly Thai adults. Participants were 141 elderly (ages 80–112) but healthy adults, most of whom were living in well-maintained, single-story homes. Instruments used in the study included the Self-Rated Health Question, the Social Contact Scale, the Loneliness Question, and the Home Environmental Hazards Checklist. Findings reveal common indoor hazards such …

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The Sociopolitical Manifestation Of Built Environment In Rural Thailand : Holistic Development For An Aging Society?, Sirima Thongsawang, Ampa Kaewkumkong Jan 2025

The Sociopolitical Manifestation Of Built Environment In Rural Thailand : Holistic Development For An Aging Society?, Sirima Thongsawang, Ampa Kaewkumkong

NAKHARA (Journal of Environmental Design and Planning)

Changes in demographic structures in an aging society have diminished farming employment and incomes of old residents of Talat Mai subdistrict, Angthong Province, Thailand. Under decentralization, the local government assumes primary development responsibility in managing the basic needs of citizens. This case study demonstrates how the local government uses the built environment—Wiset Chai Chan Historical Park Royalty Monument —as an instrument for community development to enhance life quality for old residents. This study examines ways in which the park's construction as a built environment are shaped and consequences due to community development as an aging society. Data was gathered by …

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A Comparative Analysis Of 21st Century Housing Development Planning In Asian Metropolises, Montouch Maglumtong, Kundoldibya Panitchpakdi, Querida Khotcharee Jan 2025

A Comparative Analysis Of 21st Century Housing Development Planning In Asian Metropolises, Montouch Maglumtong, Kundoldibya Panitchpakdi, Querida Khotcharee

NAKHARA (Journal of Environmental Design and Planning)

Housing development planning in the 21st century involves addressing diverse challenges and opportunities across different regions of the world. Asia is the fastest-growing economic region, with many metropolises containing vast housing and urban development, including high-density living, aging populations, economic disparities, and natural disasters. This article aims to analyze and compare the housing development in the 21st century in major Asian metropolises, including Beijing, Tokyo, Singapore, and Bangkok, specifically in terms of housing policies, housing organizations, and laws and regulations. The study used secondary data from documents, research, theses, and related articles, along with interviews of experts to synthesize the …

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Urban Land Expansion And Economic Development In Thailand From 2000 To 2020, Nutchapon Prasertsoong, Nattapong Puttanapong Jan 2025

Urban Land Expansion And Economic Development In Thailand From 2000 To 2020, Nutchapon Prasertsoong, Nattapong Puttanapong

NAKHARA (Journal of Environmental Design and Planning)

This study utilizes information gathered from satellites and economic sources spanning two decades (2000–2020) to estimate the effect of income shocks from industrialization on urbanization at the provincial level in Thailand. To measure urbanization, the study relies on the observable increase in urban land area as seen from space, serving as a proxy for the country's urban growth. Four regression models—fixed-effects, spatial autoregressive, spatial error model, and dynamic panel—are employed to assess the short-term impact of income shock on urbanization. The results suggested that increased productivity from industrialization positively affected urbanization in Thailand. This study also revealed that natural factors …

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Modeling Hydrological Impacts Of Land- Use Change In The Sam Ngao Watershed Using Swat And Ca-Markov, Banchongsak Faksomboon, Nares Khamcharoen, Thipphaphone Keoviyavong Jan 2025

Modeling Hydrological Impacts Of Land- Use Change In The Sam Ngao Watershed Using Swat And Ca-Markov, Banchongsak Faksomboon, Nares Khamcharoen, Thipphaphone Keoviyavong

NAKHARA (Journal of Environmental Design and Planning)

This study investigates the hydrological consequences of Land Use and Land Cover (LULC) transformations within the Sam Ngao Watershed (SNgW) from 2000 to 2020. Utilizing the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT), the research simulates watershed hydrological responses to observed LULC dynamics. To forecast future hydrological conditions, LULC scenarios for 2040 and 2060 were generated using a hybrid Cellular Automata-Markov Chain (CA-Markov) modeling approach. A hybrid classification methodology enhanced the accuracy of LULC mapping from Landsat imagery, integrating multiple classification techniques. Results reveal that LULC alterations between 2000 and 2020 significantly influenced the watershed’s hydrological regime, including declines in dry …

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Neighborhood Connectedness Through Physical-Spatial Dimensions : A Case Study Of Communities Near Eastern Industrial Estates In Thailand, Tipsuda Janjamlah, Peeradorn Kaewlai Jan 2025

Neighborhood Connectedness Through Physical-Spatial Dimensions : A Case Study Of Communities Near Eastern Industrial Estates In Thailand, Tipsuda Janjamlah, Peeradorn Kaewlai

NAKHARA (Journal of Environmental Design and Planning)

Neighborhood connectedness is a key dimension of community well-being and resilience, yet prior research has focused largely on social ties while under examining the role of physical–spatial environments. Drawing on place attachment theory, this study investigates how spatial features shape neighborhood connectedness in the context of urban transformation near a major industrial estate in eastern Thailand. Data were collected from 411 residents across four neighborhoods, categorized as long-established “old” communities and recently developed “new” ones. A second-order confirmatory factor analysis was employed to develop and validate a multidimensional model of connectedness, comprising proximal facilities, pedestrian friendliness, vibrancy, pleasantness, road network, …

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Policy Mapping For Direction On Green Vertical Housing Development In Indonesia, Dewi Larasati, Furry Andini Wilis, Dewi Nurhayati, Roiswahid Dimas Pangestu, Allis Nurdini, Arnott Ferels Jan 2025

Policy Mapping For Direction On Green Vertical Housing Development In Indonesia, Dewi Larasati, Furry Andini Wilis, Dewi Nurhayati, Roiswahid Dimas Pangestu, Allis Nurdini, Arnott Ferels

NAKHARA (Journal of Environmental Design and Planning)

Indonesia’s rapid urbanization has accelerated the construction of vertical public housing as a state-led response to growing urban housing needs. Compared to the general housing sector, these projects hold strategic importance due to their large scale, policy alignment, and reliance on public financing. However, this expansion intensifies resource consumption and environmental degradation, particularly in the absence of mandatory green building (GB) standards. Although GB initiatives have been introduced across multiple sectors, their fragmented implementation and weak enforcement diminish their overall effectiveness. Vertical public housing, therefore, presents a key opportunity for policy innovation, where governmental authority can effectively institutionalize sustainability practices. …

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Dwelling With The Fault : Cultural Landscape And Spatial Formation In Kampung Batu Lonceng, Indonesia, Widjaja Martokusumo, Rr. Diah Asih Purwaningrum, Medria Shekar Rani, M. Zaini Dahlan, Budi Faisal, Izazaya Binta, Irwan Meilano, Hirohide Kobayashi Jan 2025

Dwelling With The Fault : Cultural Landscape And Spatial Formation In Kampung Batu Lonceng, Indonesia, Widjaja Martokusumo, Rr. Diah Asih Purwaningrum, Medria Shekar Rani, M. Zaini Dahlan, Budi Faisal, Izazaya Binta, Irwan Meilano, Hirohide Kobayashi

NAKHARA (Journal of Environmental Design and Planning)

Since UNESCO formalized the concept of cultural landscapes in 1992, heritage discourse has shifted from monument-centric approaches toward values-based perspectives that foreground the dynamic interplay among people, place, and ecology. Within this framework, cultural landscapes offer a critical lens for understanding rural settlements not only as spatial configurations but also as embodiments of intangible knowledge and ecological adaptation.  This study investigates Kampung Batu Lonceng, a vernacular settlement situated along the active Lembang Fault in West Java, Indonesia. With historical traces dating back to the Neolithic period, the kampung exemplifies how spatial formation is shaped simultaneously by geomorphological vulnerabilities and long-standing …

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Contextualizing Tree Defects And Risks In An Urban Tropical Campus, Chulalongkorn University, Thailand, Sirintra Vanno Jan 2025

Contextualizing Tree Defects And Risks In An Urban Tropical Campus, Chulalongkorn University, Thailand, Sirintra Vanno

NAKHARA (Journal of Environmental Design and Planning)

Tree failure poses a risk to property and people; however, there is limited data on tropical tree risk assessment, hindering effective risk management. Chulalongkorn University (CU) is an urban tropical forest campus in the heart of Bangkok, Thailand. The campus provides essential cultural, social, and ecological services but is subject to structural failure due to extreme weather and climate change that can cause severe consequences for property and public safety. This study aimed to carry out a tree risk assessment at CU using a form based on that of the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA).  Altogether, 4,255 trees representing 256 …

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Quantifying The Restorative Effects Of Green–Water–Hardscape Ratios : Evidence From A Simulated Landscape Experiment In Chiang Mai, Hay Thar Htar Ei Jan 2025

Quantifying The Restorative Effects Of Green–Water–Hardscape Ratios : Evidence From A Simulated Landscape Experiment In Chiang Mai, Hay Thar Htar Ei

NAKHARA (Journal of Environmental Design and Planning)

Modern life presents significant stressors that negatively impact mental well-being. While the importance of mental health is increasingly recognized, effective stress management strategies are still crucial. This study explores the potential of landscape perception as a natural intervention to enhance proximal restorative outcomes. By investigating the physiological and psychological responses of individuals to diverse landscape stimuli, we aim to understand how specific combinations of landscape elements (e.g., green spaces, water features) can promote psychological restoration. The study design intended to collect psychological and physiological (heart rate and blood pressure) responses, measured before and after stress-inducing tests and landscape exposure. Scores …

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“Para-Para Api” : Vernacular Architecture Of Nutmeg Farmers’ Settlements In The Banda Islands, Maluku, Indonesia, Joko Adianto, Rizki Hermawan, Hendrajaya Isnaeni, Christina Leigh Geros, Salsa Muafiroh, Muhamad Iko Kersapati, Nurachman Iriyanto, Mohamad Atqa Jan 2025

“Para-Para Api” : Vernacular Architecture Of Nutmeg Farmers’ Settlements In The Banda Islands, Maluku, Indonesia, Joko Adianto, Rizki Hermawan, Hendrajaya Isnaeni, Christina Leigh Geros, Salsa Muafiroh, Muhamad Iko Kersapati, Nurachman Iriyanto, Mohamad Atqa

NAKHARA (Journal of Environmental Design and Planning)

This article examines the Para-Para Api (PPA), a modest yet enduring form of vernacular architecture developed by nutmeg-farming households in the Banda Islands, Maluku. While spice-route scholarship has largely focused on palaces, forts, and trading ports, little attention has been given to the everyday structures that sustain nutmeg production. The study investigates the architectural characteristics and socio-cultural roles of the PPA, particularly how vernacular building practices adapted influences from colonial-era smokehouses within a household-scale context. Using qualitative methods that combine field surveys, architectural documentation, and semi-structured interviews with nutmeg farmers across several Bandanese settlements, the research analyzes construction techniques, spatial …

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The Radiation Oncology Department : Design Guidelines, Implementation Challenges, And Lessons Learned In Thai Public Hospitals, Kullathida Sangnin, Traiwat Viryasiri, Vikrom Laovisutthichai, Noramon Panjapiyakul, Sasipa Onthong Jan 2025

The Radiation Oncology Department : Design Guidelines, Implementation Challenges, And Lessons Learned In Thai Public Hospitals, Kullathida Sangnin, Traiwat Viryasiri, Vikrom Laovisutthichai, Noramon Panjapiyakul, Sasipa Onthong

NAKHARA (Journal of Environmental Design and Planning)

The radiation oncology department (ROD) is a specialized healthcare unit utilizing advanced radiation technologies to deliver precise cancer treatment, which demand complex coordination of space, safety, and multidisciplinary workflows. Although several ROD design guidelines exist, they are tailored to developed economies, remain piecemeal, and lack comprehensive feedback from practitioners in other socio-cultural conditions regarding their implementation process, difficulties, and outcomes. This research thus (1) synthesizes ROD design guidelines, (2) investigates the implementation challenges, and (3) collects insights and experiences from healthcare professionals involved in ROD operations. A mixed-method approach is employed, incorporating literature review, construction drawing analysis, site visits, and …

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Interchangeable Sensorial Encounters With Nature In Older Adults’ Domestic Space In Indonesia, Paramita Atmodiwirjo, Ruth Kartika Purnasasmita, Paramita Atmodiwirjo, Yandi Andri Yatmo, Demet Dincer Jan 2025

Interchangeable Sensorial Encounters With Nature In Older Adults’ Domestic Space In Indonesia, Paramita Atmodiwirjo, Ruth Kartika Purnasasmita, Paramita Atmodiwirjo, Yandi Andri Yatmo, Demet Dincer

NAKHARA (Journal of Environmental Design and Planning)

This study investigates how older individuals encounter nature through sensorial contact in their domestic settings. It argues that nature should be integrated into the older adults’ domestic spaces to foster connections with nature that promote active living and improve their well-being. Such interactions with nature are captured by understanding the relationships between the degrees of connection with nature: viewing nature, being in nature, and doing in nature. This study was conducted through field observations and interviews with 24 older adults with varying physical capacities and levels of independence across 15 households in Jakarta and West Java. It further maps the …

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Emotion Inferences: An Integrative And Dynamic Process, Srishti Goel Jan 2025

Emotion Inferences: An Integrative And Dynamic Process, Srishti Goel

Yale Graduate School of Arts and Sciences Dissertations

Our understanding of what others around us feel, a process referred to as emotion inference, fundamentally shapes our behavior and social interactions. Early work largely focused on how people infer emotions from isolated, static, canonical facial expressions. Accumulating evidence and theoretical advancements suggest that emotion inference, instead, is a complex process that involves making meaning about a target’s experience by dynamically synthesizing information from multiple sources with existing knowledge. Yet, a comprehensive empirical account that captures this complexity is largely missing from the literature. In this dissertation, I propose and systematically test a research framework that addresses this complexity of …

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Renewing Cells, Enduring Genes, And Metabolic Decline In Murine Liver Aging, John T. Gonzalez Jan 2025

Renewing Cells, Enduring Genes, And Metabolic Decline In Murine Liver Aging, John T. Gonzalez

Yale Graduate School of Arts and Sciences Dissertations

Aging is associated with physiological and molecular decline and a concurrent increase in dysfunction, chronic disease, and mortality. Despite the fact that aging is the greatest risk factor for many chronic diseases, fundamental aging research has historically lagged behind disease-specific research. This deterioration and it's repercussions has different manifestations in different organs. This dissertation focuses on dynamics of mouse aging with a focus on the liver. The liver's diverse functions are integral to many homeostatic processes, including maintaining metabolic balance, detoxifying harmful substances, supporting immune defense, and regulating blood and endocrine systems. Its impairment can lead to significant health issues. …

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Understanding Human-Agent Teaming: A Mixed-Methods Examination Of Perceptions And Interactions, Valerie Robbins-Roth, Kendall Carmody, Bella Deloach, Meredith Carroll, Amanda Thayer, Jessica Wildman Jan 2025

Understanding Human-Agent Teaming: A Mixed-Methods Examination Of Perceptions And Interactions, Valerie Robbins-Roth, Kendall Carmody, Bella Deloach, Meredith Carroll, Amanda Thayer, Jessica Wildman

Aeronautics Faculty Publications

While quantitative research on trust in HATs is well-established, there is a significant gap in understanding individuals’ subjective experiences during trust violations and repair. This study explores how people perceive and respond to these events, guided by three key questions: (1) How do participants describe emotional and behavioral responses to trust violations and repair? (2) How do personality traits influence reactions? (3) What qualitative themes emerge in the dissolution of trust? Using a mixed-methods approach, participants engaged in a 1-hour simulated search-and-rescue mission with four autonomous agents. During the task, one agent committed two trust violations, followed by repair attempts …

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Canine-Assisted Spiritual Care Handbook: Integrating Facility Dogs Into Professional Chaplaincy Practice, Ann M. Snowberger Jan 2025

Canine-Assisted Spiritual Care Handbook: Integrating Facility Dogs Into Professional Chaplaincy Practice, Ann M. Snowberger

Doctor of Ministry

This project's researcher finds that Spiritual Care Facility Dog Teams (dog handlers and their dogs) lack resources and practical guides to advance Canine-Assisted Spiritual Care (CA-SC) in healthcare and facility settings. The Canine-Assisted Spiritual Care Handbook offers a comprehensive guide for establishing and sustaining CA-SC programs. It promotes standardized terminology, ethical practices, and interdisciplinary collaboration. By featuring practical tools, case studies, and training plans, the handbook supports the professional development of chaplains. Its holistic framework enhances spiritual, emotional, and physical wellness, while emphasizing the well-being of both handlers and their working dogs. The handbook’s focus on program sustainability and real-world …

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Elder As Disciplemaker: God’S Strategy For World Change, Dan Turis Jan 2025

Elder As Disciplemaker: God’S Strategy For World Change, Dan Turis

Doctor of Ministry

This research examines Christian discipleship’s theological, historical, and structural dynamics, emphasizing its central role in addressing the decline of church attendance in the Western church. Recent data, such as Barna’s 2020 report indicating a 50% drop in regular church attendance, underscores a more profound issue beyond numerical decline—namely, a crisis of commitment and spiritual formation. The church’s inability to cultivate a community of believers who follow Jesus as disciples highlights a shift from relational, life-on-life mentorship to programmatic, clergy-centered approaches. Historically, discipleship was characterized by a personal mentoring relationship where elders or spiritual leaders walked alongside believers to guide their …

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Intracellular Survival Of Staphylococcus Aureus In Macrophages During Osteomyelitis, William A. Lathram, Christopher D. Radka Jan 2025

Intracellular Survival Of Staphylococcus Aureus In Macrophages During Osteomyelitis, William A. Lathram, Christopher D. Radka

Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics Faculty Publications

Staphylococcus aureus, traditionally viewed as an extracellular pathogen, is increasingly recognized for its ability to persist intracellularly, particularly within macrophages. This intracellular lifestyle is central to osteomyelitis, a chronic bone infection characterized by persistent inflammation, bone destruction, and impaired repair. Within bone, S. aureus exploits macrophage plasticity by driving a shift from pro-inflammatory, bactericidal M1-like states to anti-inflammatory, tissue-reparative M2-like phenotypes. This polarization suppresses immune clearance and promotes an environment conducive to bacterial survival and dissemination. Additional strategies – including biofilm formation, small colony variants, and inhibition of phagolysosomal killing – further enhance persistence and immune evasion. While these …

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Second Look Commission, 2025 Annual Report, Tennessee Commission On Children And Youth Jan 2025

Second Look Commission, 2025 Annual Report, Tennessee Commission On Children And Youth

Second Look Commission Annual Reports

The Second Look Commission reviews cases of children from across Tennessee who have experienced a second or subsequent incidence of severe abuse to identify ways to improve the system and help other children avoid a similar fate. This document reports on the findings from the fiscal year.

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Serglycin Controls Megakaryocyte Retention Of Platelet Factor 4 And Influences Megakaryocyte Fate In Bone Marrow, Joshua Lykins, Isabelle C. Becker, Virginia Camacho, Hammodah Rawhi Hammodah Alfar, Joonwoo Park, Joseph Italiano, Sidney W. Whiteheart Jan 2025

Serglycin Controls Megakaryocyte Retention Of Platelet Factor 4 And Influences Megakaryocyte Fate In Bone Marrow, Joshua Lykins, Isabelle C. Becker, Virginia Camacho, Hammodah Rawhi Hammodah Alfar, Joonwoo Park, Joseph Italiano, Sidney W. Whiteheart

Saha Cardiovascular Research Center Faculty Publications

Megakaryocytes (MKs) produce platelets, and similar to other hematopoietic progenitors, they are involved in homeostatic aspects of their bone marrow niche. MKs release and endocytose various factors, such as platelet factor 4 (PF4)/CXCL4. Here, we show that the intra-α-granular proteoglycan, serglycin (SRGN), plays a key role in this process by retaining PF4, and perhaps other factors, during MK maturation. Immature, SRGN–/– MKs released ~80% of their PF4, and conditioned media from these cells negatively affected wild-type MK differentiation in vitro. This was replicated in wild-type MKs by treatment with the polycation surfen, a known inhibitor of glycosaminoglycan (GAG)/protein interactions. In …

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Abcg5/Abcg8-Independent Mechanisms Fail To Maintain Sterol Balance In Mice Fed A High-Cholesterol Diet, Garrett B. Anspach, Rupinder Kaur, Isha Chauhan, Erika L. Savage, Brittney Poole, Victoria P. Noffsinger, Xiaoming Fu, Zeneng Wang, Clairity Voy, Ryan E. Temel, Scott M. Gordon, Robert N. Helsley, Gregory A. Graf Jan 2025

Abcg5/Abcg8-Independent Mechanisms Fail To Maintain Sterol Balance In Mice Fed A High-Cholesterol Diet, Garrett B. Anspach, Rupinder Kaur, Isha Chauhan, Erika L. Savage, Brittney Poole, Victoria P. Noffsinger, Xiaoming Fu, Zeneng Wang, Clairity Voy, Ryan E. Temel, Scott M. Gordon, Robert N. Helsley, Gregory A. Graf

Saha Cardiovascular Research Center Faculty Publications

The ABCG5/ABCG8 (G5G8) sterol transporter opposes the accumulation of dietary xenosterols but is also the primary mediator of biliary cholesterol secretion. In humans and in mouse models of disrupted biliary cholesterol secretion, fecal neutral sterols (FNSs) remain constant, indicating the presence of an alternate pathway for cholesterol excretion. Transintestinal cholesterol elimination or excretion (TICE) is thought to compensate for biliary disruptions and G5G8 insufficiency. We sought to measure the compensatory increase in intestinal cholesterol secretion and provide mechanistic insight for how TICE maintains sterol balance in the absence of hepatic G5G8. Differences were not observed in FNSs between control, acute, …

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