Delegating Authority: How Student Leadership Influences The Workload And Well-Being Of Secondary Orchestra Directors, Lori M. Buonamici

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Although it is standard practice for secondary orchestra directors to engage students in leadership roles to assist with instruction and ensemble management, music education research provides teachers with little guidance on creating and maintaining student leadership organizations. The current literature provides abundant evidence of the benefits of offering leadership opportunities to support student development. Still, little research examines the additional work this creates for the orchestra director. Drawing on Vygotsky’s constructivist worldview and the theory of the zone of proximal development, this study examines how guided support facilitates the development of student leadership skills. Granting student leaders authority may either …

“What So Many Millions Before Us Have Borne”: Loss, Grief, And The Revolutionary Turn Of The Founding Father, Michael S. Desmond

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Loss, instability and grief provided a crucial interpretative framework for understanding George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and Benjamin Franklin, particularly in the years surrounding their emergence as revolutionaries in the early 1770s. Rather than treating their political commitments to the Whigs as the product of ideology alone, this study argues that deeply personal experiences with setbacks and loss shaped the crucial timing of their decisions to become revolutionaries.

For Washington, Jefferson and Franklin, grief was not a single event followed by an emotional response; it was a formative process that began with the setbacks and losses of their childhoods. In adolescence, …

A Quantitative Analysis Of Cardiovascular Adaptations To Exercise And Endurance Performance Among Male And Female Collegiate Athletes, Ronnie Wayne Eggleston Jr.

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Cardiovascular adaptations to exercise are prominent among endurance athletes. While heart rate is used to determine exercise prescription and to measure overall health, little research has explored the influence of sex-based differences on changes in heart rate and performance outcomes. The purpose of this study is to investigate and compare cardiovascular adaptations to exercise in male and female endurance athletes, with a focus on heart rate and performance times. A quasi-experimental longitudinal design was used with a sample of 19 (nine males, ten females) collegiate triathletes on a university club sports team. Data was collected at the beginning and end …

Second Temple Period Foundations Of The New Testament: A Teaching Model At Longview Evangelical Community Church, Stephen T. Dixon

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This action research project examined whether a structured Bible study focused on the Second Temple Period could improve participants’ ability to recognize historical context in the New Testament and apply that knowledge to a more Christocentric understanding of Scripture. The project was conducted at a local church and involved adult participants from diverse educational and spiritual backgrounds. The study used a six-week instructional model that integrated historical background, theological reflection, and guided discussion. Data were collected through an initial questionnaire and Likert-scale surveys administered before the study began, observational notes and recordings during the study, and a final assessment after …

A Quantitative Study Examining The Impact Of Gender On Covenantal Empowerment And Mental Health Quality Of Life Among 911 Dispatchers, Michael Ryan Udriét

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This quantitative correlational study examined factors affecting the mental health quality of life (MHQoL) of 911 dispatchers in Greater Richmond, Virginia. Dispatchers frequently experience psychological strain due to exposure to traumatic calls, demanding workloads, and inconsistent organizational support. Leadership is a crucial factor in shaping well-being, yet the influence of covenantal empowerment (CE)—a model emphasizing mutual support, shared accountability, and relational trust—on dispatcher mental health remains underexplored. This study examined the relationship between CE and MHQoL, explored gender as a moderator, and considered additional demographic and work-related factors including age, years of experience, work shift, length of shift, marital status, …

Navigating Trauma: The Lived Experiences Of Black Women Veterans In The Mental Health System, Malika K. Whitley

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The research investigated how Black women veterans managed their traumatic experiences while interacting with mental health services. Black women veterans developed trauma from different origins, which include combat experiences, systemic racism, interpersonal violence, and service reintegration difficulties. Black women veterans faced multiple barriers to healthcare access because they experienced both cultural stigma, limited representation, and healthcare institution inequities, despite their high rates of trauma-related conditions, including post-traumatic stress disorder( PTSD), depression, and anxiety. The existing barriers prevented these individuals from using available services, which resulted in incorrect diagnoses and diminished trust in available treatment options. This research employed a qualitative …

A Transcendental Phenomenological Study Of African American Adults Who Self-Identify As Christians Serving As Caregivers For Their Parents Or Family In The Southeastern United States, Margaret J. Lee

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative, transcendental-phenomenological study was to explore the lived experiences of African American adult children who self-identify as Christians and serve as caregivers for their parents or family members in the southeastern United States. Despite the prevalence of caregiving within African American families, research typically does not capture the unique cultural and spiritual contexts that shape these experiences. The theories guiding this study are Bowen's family systems theory (Bowen, 1978) and the Afrocentric Perspective. These theories examine family dynamics and cultural expectations. This study sought to understand how faith, cultural values, and familial dynamics shape caregivers' experiences, …

Helicopter Parenting And Its Impact On The Well-Being Of Diverse Emerging Adults, Tamieka S. Martin

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Helicopter parenting involves excessive over-involvement, overprotection, and autonomy restriction. Research suggests that helicopter parenting often leads to poor outcomes for emerging adults (18-25). This style of parenting is incongruent with the appropriate developmental stage of emerging adulthood, which prioritizes autonomy supportive parenting for more positive well-being outcomes. Literature on this phenomenon consists of a majority White female sample. This study is an examination of the relationship between well-being outcomes (depression, anxiety, and autonomy) for a diverse population of emerging adults who were helicopter parented. This correlational quantitative study includes 120 college participants. Spearman’s rho correlation was employed to analyze the …

Effectiveness Of Western Foreign Aid On Poverty Reduction In Ethiopia: A Comparative Phenomenological Analysis Of International Donor Organizations And Government Practices, Solomon G. Desalegn

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Western foreign aid has long aimed to promote sustainable economic development and reduce poverty in Ethiopia and across Africa. Despite being one of the continent’s top recipients of foreign aid, Ethiopia remains heavily dependent on foreign assistance, resulting in an aid-dependent economy marked by ongoing reliance on foreign aid for survival, pervasive corruption, and the perpetuation of poverty. Such outcomes starkly contrast with the original objectives of Western foreign aid. This qualitative comparative-phenomenological analysis aims to explore the lasting impact of Western aid on lifting Ethiopian citizens out of poverty. The central research question guiding this study is: “How effective …

The Silent War Within: A Phenomenological Exploration Of Male Veterans' Lived Experiences Following Military Sexual Trauma In Southwestern Louisiana, Belinda K. Richard

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Military sexual trauma (MST) is an important and often overlooked issue affecting male veterans. Research indicates that men encounter MST at notable rates and confront distinct challenges in accessing care. Although the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) provides specialized MST services, there remains a significant gap in the literature regarding men's underutilization of these resources, particularly given their disproportionate presence in the VA's traditionally male-dominated healthcare system. The purpose of this phenomenological study is to understand the lived experience of men currently living in Southwestern Louisiana who have experienced military sexual trauma while on active duty. The theories guiding this …

A Reappraisal On The Use Of Mechanical Circulatory Support In Acute Coronary Syndrome And High-Risk Percutaneous Coronary Intervention—Lessons From Stemi-Dtu And Chip-Bcis3, Marwan F. Jumean, Mir Babar Basir, Biswajit Kar

Journal of Shock and Hemodynamics

None.

Reflect & Reset Check In: Cultivating Care, Connection, And Culture, Whitney C. Jackson, Tawanda Williams-Hardie, Jamali Stone

Group: Samford University Moffett & Sanders School of Nursing

Nurse burnout remains a critical challenge in healthcare, with national rates exceeding 60% and contributing to turnover, reduced morale, and compromised patient care. Existing end-of-shift practices are largely task-oriented and fail to address emotional decompression or team connection. This quality improvement project implemented the Reflect & Reset (R&R) Check-In Model, a structured, end-of-shift intervention designed to support nurse well-being, enhance psychological safety, and strengthen team communication across two inpatient units.

Grounded in Donabedian’s Structure–Process–Outcome framework and Duffy’s Quality Caring Model, this pre-post, mixed-methods project engaged registered nurses, patient care technicians, and charge nurses over a five-week pilot period. The intervention …

Workplace Health: Blood Pressure Education And Self-Monitoring At The Worksite, Pamela E. Carver

DNP and Student Works

Hypertension (HTN) is the most common diagnosis in the United States and one of the 10 most expensive health conditions for employers. Poorly managed and undiagnosed HTN increases health care costs and contributes to lost employee productivity. The literature strongly supports self-monitoring as key to blood pressure (BP) control, especially when paired with additional interventions such as education. Although much has been done to review various worksite health promotion programs over the last 20 years to 30 years, specific evidence regarding the potential impact of providing BP self-monitoring equipment at the worksite is lacking. The purpose of this study was …

“We Are Physically Alive But Mentally Dead”: The International Community Must Take Action To Ensure Women’S Right To Education In Afghanistan, Solveig J. Clifford

BYU Law Review

International treaties recognize the right to education as a fundamental human right. The Taliban, which currently act as the government as Afghanistan, are legally bound by treaty obligations to respect the right to education. The Taliban have banned women and girls from receiving education past the sixth grade, which is illegal under international law. During the Taliban’s previous regime in Afghanistan, they implemented a similar policy, which had disastrous results for an entire generation of Afghan women. Once again, the education ban is causing severe harm to the women and girls of Afghanistan. The international community has failed to take …

Poor Esg: Regressive Effects Of Climate Stewardship, Zohar Goshen, Assaf Hamdani, Alex Raskolnikov

BYU Law Review

The rise of inequality and global warming are the two ultimate challenges of our time. After decades of congressional failure to address climate change, the private sector has stepped in and adopted a set of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) policies as a market-based solution to a public policy failure. ESG advocates hope that corporate executives would save our planet. Where Congress failed, ESG will succeed.

This Article argues that if ESG-driven climate stewardship ever achieves the scale necessary to have a real impact on global warming, it will hurt the poor. Legislative interventions to combat climate change are nearly …

Clinically Confounded: Pericardial Effusion As The Initial Presentation Of Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma In A Patient With Cirrhosis, Aditya Lakkamsani Do, Ronak Patel Do, Samiuddin Syed Md, Viktoriya Bikeyeva Md, Shams Bufalino Md

Scientific Day

Introduction/Background:

Pericardial effusion as the initial manifestation of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is a rare, extranodal presentation that upstages the disease to stage IV, per Lugano classification. In patients with underlying cirrhosis or volume overload, such effusions can be misattributed, delaying oncologic evaluation. We present a case of new pericardial effusion found to be DLBCL in the setting of alcoholic cirrhosis.

Description:

A 79-year-old male with alcoholic cirrhosis presented with bilateral lower extremity edema, abdominal edema, and hypotension that was unresponsive to outpatient diuresis. On admission, day 0, imaging showed cardiomegaly concerning pericardial effusion and left pleural effusion. Echocardiography …

A Rare Case Of Pulmonary Metastasis From Malignant Intracranial Meningioma, Ronak Patel Do, Jason Macklis Md

Scientific Day

Introduction/Background:

Meningiomas are the most common primary central nervous system (CNS) tumors arising from the meninges. Although typically benign, extracranial metastasis is rare, occurring in less than 1% of cases, most often involving the lungs, bones, or liver. We present a case of recurrent meningioma with malignant transformation and pulmonary metastases in an elderly patient following multiple resections and radiation treatments.

Description:

An 86-year-old male was diagnosed in 2013 with a WHO grade I meningioma treated with bifrontal craniotomy and resection. In 2020, he developed progression along the superior sagittal sinus and received radiation therapy. Imaging in 2024–2025 revealed recurrent …

Beyond The Library Of Congress: The Federal Library Ecosystem As Democratic Information Infrastructure, Nancy E. Weiss

Seattle Journal of Technology, Environmental, & Innovation Law

No abstract provided.

How Licensing Compromised The Library, Aaron Perzanowski

Seattle Journal of Technology, Environmental, & Innovation Law

No abstract provided.

Dialogue Between Mind And Algorithm: Deep Symbiosis Of Psychology And Artificial Intelligence, Xiaolan Fu, Zheng Yan

Bulletin of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Chinese Version)

As artificial intelligence (AI) evolves from a supportive tool into a collaborative partner, the convergence of psychology and AI is gradually shifting from one-way application toward deep symbiosis. This study discusses the mutual empowerment resulting from their interaction, as well as the challenges they face and potential pathways to breakthroughs. On the one hand, psychology empowers AI by enhancing its human-like intelligence and social adaptability through cognitive modeling and ethical constraints; on the other hand, AI empowers psychology by leveraging multimodal data and algorithmic models to revolutionize psychological assessment and intervention methods. This deep symbiosis requires a clear-eyed acknowledgment of …

A Behaviourally Segmented Assessment Of The Environmental, Nutritional, And Economic Impacts Of Household Food Waste In The Republic Of Ireland, Courage Y. Krah, Paul Hynds, Anushree Priyadarshini

Research Outputs: 2025-Present

Household food waste represents a multifaceted sustainability challenge with environmental, nutritional, and economic repercussions. However, no integrated multidimensional assessment has examined how impacts vary across different household food waste behaviours, representing a critical knowledge gap. This study presents the first nationally representative, behaviourally segmented assessment of household food waste in the Republic of Ireland (ROI), integrating life cycle assessment (LCA), nutrient composition, and economic assessment. Data from 966 households were used to quantify food waste volumes across twelve food categories and four behavioural clusters. Environmental impacts were estimated using the ReCiPe 2016 Midpoint (H) method, while nutrient and monetary losses …

Improving Hyaluronic Acid Filler Safety Through A Structured, Evidence-Based Training Program: A Dnp Educational Initiative, Carlos Sandoval Madrigal

Doctoral Projects

The rapid growth of aesthetic medicine, particularly the use of hyaluronic acid (HA) dermal fillers, has outpaced the development of standardized educational pathways for Health Care Providers (HCPs), contributing to a wide variability in clinical practice and increased risk of adverse events. This Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) project aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a structured, evidence-based educational intervention designed to improve provider knowledge and confidence in the prevention and management of HA filler complications. The intervention was developed using the 10-Point Plan framework and evaluated using the Kirkpatrick Model Levels 1 (Reaction) and 2 (Learning). A quasi-experimental, one-group …

Heat Shock Factor 1 Signaling: A Novel Pathway Implicated In Rett Syndrome Pathophysiology, Sonia Gonzalez

Dissertations

Rett syndrome (RTT) is a severe neurodevelopmental disorder that is associated with loss-of-function mutations in the methyl-CPG binding protein 2 (MECP2) gene. There are limited therapeutic options to address the wide range of social, cognitive, motor, and respiratory symptoms that patients experience throughout their lifetime. To identify novel therapeutic targets, we leveraged a rare form of RTT known as MeCP2-mutation-negative or atypical RTT. Traditionally, RTT is first diagnosed clinically and then confirmed through the identification of mutations in the MECP2 gene. However, ~5% of RTT patients are found to be MeCP2-mutation-negative (atypical), despite sharing overlapping symptomology with typical RTT. We …

Proceedings Of The 2026 International Conference On Decision Support System Technology (Icdsst 2026), Huilan Chen, Dulekha Kasturiratne, Guoste Pivoraite, Xinyi Li, Xiaoning Chen, Shaofeng Liu

More Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Business Research

No abstract provided.

Repurposing Semaglutide As An Adjunctive Treatment For Cocaine Use Disorder: Protocol For A Randomised Controlled Trial, Luba Yammine, Francesco Versace, Charles E Green, Heather E Webber, Jin Ho Yoon, Absalon D Gutierrez, Samuel J Leonard, Michael F Weaver, Joy Schmitz

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Introduction: Cocaine use disorder (CUD) is a significant public health concern in the USA, with considerable prevalence and mortality and no Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved pharmacotherapies. Recent advances in addiction science emphasise the need for novel, mechanism-based treatments. Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists, such as semaglutide, have shown promise in modulating reward-related behaviours and may offer therapeutic benefits for CUD. We present a study protocol evaluating semaglutide, as an adjunct to cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), as a novel approach for treating CUD.

Methods and analysis: This is a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial enrolling 75 treatment-seeking adults with CUD. Participants will …

Brain-Wide Structural Markers Of Familial And Clinical Risk For Bipolar Disorder In Youth, Danella M Hafeman, Jamie Feldman, John Merranko, Mary L Phillips, Boris Birmaher, Si Gao, Yizhou Ma, Peter Kochunov

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Background: Bipolar Disorder (BD) is a severe mental illness, often emerging during adolescence, that is associated with significant psychosocial impairment. BD risk is elevated in offspring of affected parents, particularly those with antecedent symptoms (e.g., mood lability, subthreshold manic symptoms). However, robust, replicable brain-based markers of risk in this population are lacking. We assessed the degree to which the Regional Vulnerability Index for BD (RVI-BD), quantified as an individual's brain-wide similarity to BD patterns derived from meta-analytic studies, is elevated in youth at familial risk and correlates with symptom predictors of BD.

Methods: We recruited n=82 adolescents (10-15 years old), …

Exploring Counselors’ Perceived Preparedness For Private Practice Business Oriented Responsibilities, Corey L. Hancock Jr.

Dissertations

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this study is to understand how fully licensed counselors who graduated from CACREP-accredited programs and did not receive formal business training during graduate school make sense of their preparedness for the business responsibilities of private practice. This study was informed by the theoretical frameworks of relational-cultural theory (RCT; Jordan, 2017) and transformative learning theory (TLT; Mezirow, 1991). Participants were fully licensed counselors with a masters or doctoral degree from a CACREP-accredited counseling program and owned a private practice. Seven participants (n = 7) were included in the study, participating in 60-90 minute semi-structured interviews. An …

Origins And Evidence Of The Fed's Fiscal Effects From Coronavirus Response, Haynes A. Mcdaniel

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The year 2020 introduced modern American society to viral pandemic conditions not seen in over a century. By ravaging human health and spreading fear, the Coronavirus (Covid) period of 2020 to 2022 significantly impaired interpersonal economic transactions as it transformed beliefs about economics, politics, and social wellbeing. This research focuses on the Fed’s economic policy decisions during the early months of the Coronavirus pandemic when effects of the 2008 financial crisis still lingered as long-term government programs. It was an extraordinary time when policymakers were forced to meander prior policy effects of astonishing reach while considering new policies intended to …

From Tradition To Transformation: Cultural And Musical Inclusivity In Sda Worship Practices, Alicia Raquel Jones-Lumbuz

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This dissertation examines worship inclusivity within multicultural Seventh-day Adventist congregations in the greater Houston, Texas, area, focusing on the experiences of migrants, first-generation Americans, and long-standing members. It highlights how their diverse cultural backgrounds, theological beliefs, and worship expectations shape congregational life. The study fills a gap in Adventist worship scholarship by exploring the lived experiences of worshippers in multicultural settings, particularly the perspectives of migrants whose attitudes toward worship are influenced by cultural heritage and traditional views of reverence. Data were collected through surveys, semi-structured interviews, focus groups, and ethnographic observations. Thematic analysis reveals eight interrelated themes, showing that …

The Narratives Of Where Black Men On The South Side Of Chicago Found Emotional Connection While Growing Up, Yakima Diemer

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this narrative inquiry study was to explore and understand the lived experiences of Black men from the South Side of Chicago. This study explored, through storytelling, the life experiences of Black men from the South Side of Chicago regarding their emotional connectedness with their primary caregivers in addition to who they turned to, and what they turned to in order to feel a sense of support and connection if and when there were none. Participants for this study included Black men who were over the age of 25 and reported being raised on the South Side of …