Digital Commons Network^™

Impact Of Veteran Treatment Courts On Lived Experiences Of Male Military Veterans With Misdemeanor Criminal Records, Verona Ann Cabbagestalk

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Support for criminal justice reform is growing due to scrutiny of high incarceration rates and recidivism. Military veterans within the criminal justice system are included in correctional populations. Veterans’ unique experiences involving combat trauma require alternative treatments to reduce their involvement with the justice system. The purpose of this phenomenological qualitative study was to explore lived experiences of male military veterans with misdemeanor criminal records. This phenomenological qualitative study involved using the homecoming theory to explore lived experiences of male military veterans with criminal records. Research questions related to understanding lived veteran experiences that led to their involvement with the …

“What I’Ll Miss The Most About The 2024 Paris Olympic Games: Cherished Moments And Unforgettable…, Essraa Nawar

Library Articles and Research

"As the 2024 Paris Olympics near their end in just a few days, I’m starting to experience withdrawal syndrome. While I haven’t been glued to the screen watching every minute since the opening on July 26, 2024, the debates, the news, the pictures, and the fascinating conversations surrounding the events have been captivating. The Olympics have a unique way of bringing the world together, and the Paris games have been no exception."

Exploring The Impact Of Collaborative Communities Among High School Principals, William T. Sherwood

Theses and Dissertations

Principals of large high schools are faced with a job that is constantly increasing in demands and complexity; with few options for highly relevant professional development, good resources to aid in problem solving, and/or effective supports for social/emotional well-being. In this qualitative case study, I examine four different school districts involving 20 principals from large high schools that are involved in different iterations of collaborative communities (CC). Participants were interviewed regarding their perceptions of the benefits and challenges of the CC in which they were engaged. Participants also shared the practices and protocols present in their CC contributing to those …

Raising Hope: A Preliminary Investigation Of Hope-Strengthening Parenting, Anna Sellers Calley

Theses and Dissertations

Hope Theory defines hope as a cognitive-motivational process of seeking and obtaining goals through agency thinking and pathway building, with substantive connection to many desirable outcomes. While hope is theorized to begin developing early in life, this assumption has never been empirically investigated. This is due to limitations in established hope measurement. There is an additional gap in the research surrounding the role of parents in the development of hope. In this study, I address each of these gaps by utilizing a novel measure of hope in early childhood and running a multiple linear regression model to investigate potential connections …

Cefiderocol Heteroresistance Associated With Mutations In Tonb-Dependent Receptor Genes In Pseudomonas Aeruginosa Of Clinical Origin, Stephanie L Egge, Samie A Rizvi, Shelby R Simar, Manuel Alcalde, Jose R W Martinez, Blake M Hanson, An Q Dinh, Rodrigo P Baptista, Truc T Tran, Samuel A Shelburne, Jose M Munita, Cesar A Arias, Morgan Hakki, William R Miller

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

The siderophore-cephalosporin cefiderocol (FDC) presents a promising treatment option for carbapenem-resistant (CR) P. aeruginosa (PA). FDC circumvents traditional porin and efflux-mediated resistance by utilizing TonB-dependent receptors (TBDRs) to access the periplasmic space. Emerging FDC resistance has been associated with loss of function mutations within TBDR genes or the regulatory genes controlling TBDR expression. Further, difficulties with antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST) and unexpected negative clinical treatment outcomes have prompted concerns for heteroresistance, where a single lineage isolate contains resistant subpopulations not detectable by standard AST. This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of TBDR mutations among clinical isolates of P. aeruginosa …

Variability And Error In Measurement Of Infant Formula Powder And Water: An Experimental Study, Richard R. Rosenkranz, Ana Gonzalez-Alvarez, Chris Acosta, Andrew Hooyman, Jose R. Hidalgo, Cindyromina Ballasteros-Paniagua, Sara K. Rosenkranz

Physical Therapy Faculty Articles and Research

Introduction: Formula feeding is the only viable nutrition alternative for infants 0–6mos who cannot breastfeed. Among the drawbacks of formula feeding, however, is potential dilution or concentration errors in the formula during preparation that may lead to infant health issues. The present study aimed to investigate the accuracy of caregiver measurements as they prepared infant formula under multiple conditions, compared with manufacturer specifications.

Methods: A diverse sample of caregivers (N = 84) participated in this cross-over experimental study. Participants hand-scooped infant formula powder and poured water to prepare 4oz. and 7oz. feedings, using both a standardized set of …

A Comparison Of Whole Brain Radiation Treatment Plan Quality Between Radformation Ezfluence Software And Manual Field-In-Field Technique, Julia Legno

Masters Projects

Purpose: To assess time-saving and overall dosimetric differences between EZFluence automated planning software and manual planning methods.

Methods: Ten previously treated whole-brain patients’ data sets were anonymized and used retrospectively by the planner to assess differences in treatment planning methods. A manual and an EZFluence plan was created for each patient. The planner then analyzed the dosimetric qualities of the plan, which included target conformality, OAR doses, and total time spent creating the plans.

Results: Upon comparing the data from both plan types, the EZFluence automated plans had a significantly shorter treatment planning time than the manual plans with an …

Minorities And The Ai Revolution: Examining The Literature On Equity And The Digital Divide, James Lipuma, Cristo Leon

STEM for Success Resources

Lipuma, J., & Leon, C. (2024). Minorities and the AI Revolution: Examining the Literature on Equity and the Digital Divide [Non-peer review]. Academia Journals Puebla, 16(6), 4.107-4.115. /Research/Education.

Avances En Educación, Salud Y Tecnología A Través De La Inclusión Y La Ética – Ciencias De La Educación – Puebla 2024, Cristo Leon, James Lipuma, Rafael Moras

STEM for Success Resources

This e-book contains the collection of research papers presented in the education area at the International Research Congress Academia Journals Puebla IEU 2024, Education, Health, and Technology through Inclusion and Ethics, which was co-organized on August 7, 8, and 9, 2024, by Academia Journals in collaboration with IEU University and the PYSEIP Research Center, Strategic Products and Services for Research and Graduate Studies.

Design And Validation Of Sensing Knee Sleeve Rehabilitation Device Utilizing Large Deflection Strain Gauges, Kurt Christian Jensen

Theses and Dissertations

Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) procedures are increasingly common in the US and globally. However, rehabilitation outcomes may be negatively affected by limited access to physical therapy and patients' tendency to not fully adhere to recommended exercises between therapy sessions. This study aims to develop a remote system to aid rehabilitation, building upon recent sensor development at Brigham Young University, providing physical therapy-like biofeedback during unsupervised at-home exercises. The system developed by this research consists of three primary components: (1) a sensor array for measuring leg/knee biomechanics, (2) a machine learning algorithm to predict knee flexion angle from the sensor data, …

Best Practices In Academic Nurse Educator Role Transition: A Multiple-Case Study, Joelle L. Wolf

Dissertations

Healthcare is facing a crisis related to a shortage of nurses. One of the most alarming factors regarding this shortage is the lack of academic nurse educators (ANE). The problem addressed in this study was the shortage of ANEs due to obstacles in the role transition process. The theoretical framework used was the nurse educator transition theory which connected well with this study as this theory focuses on stages of ANE role transition. Two research questions were used that identified perceptions of best practices in role transition of ANEs and best strategies in retention. Participants were early-career ANEs with 1 …

Best Practices To Improve Staffing And Retention For Women’S Health Providers In The Clinic Setting At The Veterans Health Administration, Tiffany Alexander

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) is the largest integrated health care system in the United States providing care to veterans and eligible family members with a growing population of female veterans. This has led to the need to maintain adequate physician staffing for the care of this unique population. The purpose of this integrative review was to identify strategies for maintaining women’s health providers to support the growing population of female veterans who have experienced military sexual trauma and require specialized care in the women’s health clinic setting. This integrative review provided an analysis of empirical and nonempirical literature within …

Essential Resource Barriers And Perceived Implications Among Military Parents Of Autistic Children, Ann Bayron-Freay

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Elevated mental health issues and health care accessibility challenges may be exacerbated by the stressors experienced by military parents of autistic children. The purpose of this interpretative phenomenological analysis was to explore how military parents with autistic children experienced and perceived essential resource barriers. Parent perceptions of the obstacles they experienced with essential resource accessibility led to significant difficulties being identified. The stress process model was used to frame the concepts in this research. Data were collected from semistructured interviews with eight active duty or recently retired military parents who had at least one autistic child during their service. Themes …

The Lived Experiences Of Black Male Students With Non-Black Teachers And Staff In New Orleans, Emmanuel Paul

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Academicians, administrators, and policymakers in New Orleans have pointed toward a disproportionate academic and life-cycle outcome where Black American males are particularly disadvantaged as compared to White students. An often-cited cause of these disproportionate outcomes for Black male students is inequality and mistreatment in schools. Therefore, this study explored the educational experiences of 10 Black males aged 18 or over from four alternative public schools in New Orleans via individual interviews. The purpose of this hermeneutic phenomenological qualitative investigation was to explore Black male students’ encounters with non-Black teachers and staff in New Orleans and gain their perspective on their …

The Psychological Victimization Of Relational Bullying Among The Lgbtqia+ Population, Erika Daniels

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The research problem in this study was the lack of research conducted on the psychological victimization of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersexual, asexual, and other (LGBTQIA+) individuals who may have experienced relational bullying by other sexual minorities. Unfortunately, relational bullying is not viewed as being as detrimental as physical, verbal, and cyberbullying. The purpose of this study was to explore sexual minorities’ experiences with relational bullying at the hands of other sexual minorities. Research has shown that LGBTQIA+ individuals experience physical, verbal, and cyberbullying behavior from their family, friends, and peers. However, there was limited research on how they …

The Impact Of Viet Nam’S Socialization Policy On Education And Health Equity Among Disadvantaged Children, Trang Quynh Nguyen

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The Xa hoi hoa (socialization) policy was officially adopted by the government of Viet Nam in the late 1990s as a coping strategy for its acute funding shortage in public services with the intent of improving social equity. There was hardly any assessment on the policy to learn its impact on social equity as documented in its key document. Using secondary data from UNICEF’s Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys conducted in Viet Nam and Viet Nam Household Living Standards Surveys, this study examined the policy’s impact on education and health outcomes among disadvantaged children’s cohorts: the rural, the ethnic minorities and …

Exploring Lived Experiences Of Mothers Raising Children With Down Syndrome In Western Nigeria, Vivian N. Aruwajoye

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Having a child with Down syndrome (DS) negatively impacts mothers’ health and well-being. Families raising a child or children with DS encounter significant financial burdens, inadequate support services, and cultural influences, which have adverse effects on the families. The purpose of this phenomenological qualitative study was to understand the accessibility and utilization of support services through the lived experiences of Western Nigerian mothers raising children with DS. The study involved 10 mothers who were recruited using a purposive sampling technique. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews via Zoom and observational notes. Thematic analysis was guided by Bronfenbrenner's ecological model. NVivo …

Disparities And Protective Factors In Pandemic-Related Mental Health Outcomes: A Louisiana-Based Study, Ariane L. Rung, Evrim Oral, Tyler Prusisz, Edward S. Peters

School of Public Health Faculty Publications

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic has had a wide-ranging impact on mental health. Diverse populations experienced the pandemic differently, highlighting pre-existing inequalities and creating new challenges in recovery. Understanding the effects across diverse populations and identifying protective factors is crucial for guiding future pandemic preparedness. The objectives of this study were to (1) describe the specific COVID-19-related impacts associated with general well-being, (2) identify protective factors associated with better mental health outcomes, and (3) assess racial disparities in pandemic impact and protective factors. Methods: A cross-sectional survey of Louisiana residents was conducted in summer 2020, yielding a sample of 986 Black …

Health For All: Evaluating The Impact Of Equity-Centered Approaches On U.S. Healthcare Delivery, A Review Of Literature, Angela Leung

Master's Projects and Capstones

This literature review examines the impact of equity-centered approaches on issues affecting U.S. healthcare delivery—multiple databases to identify relevant literature that discussed equity-centered care, associated health disparities, and implementation strategies. Of the 490 search results, ten articles remained after refining the search results to include papers published between 2014-2024 and fit the specific inclusion and exclusion criteria. The key findings highlight the benefits of equity-centered approaches in improving the quality and accessibility issues affecting the U.S. healthcare system. Presently, the status of equity work is siloed between healthcare systems in the U.S., creating an unprecedented roadblock. Nonetheless, the findings suggest …

Diapers At The Doctors: A Qualitative Study Of Socioeconomic Needs And Diaper Insecurity, Brooke Kelly Kaplan

Master's Projects and Capstones

Abstract:

This study aimed to explore the perspectives of participants enrolled in a clinic-based diaper distribution program (Diapers at the Doctor) and to assess the impact of the program on their overall well-being and socioeconomic needs. The methods of this study consisted of in person interviews conducted in both English and Spanish. There were a total of 27 participants. The interview transcripts were coded and a thematic analysis was created by the research team. The findings indicate that programs such as Diapers at the Doctor (DATD) can serve as a crucial intervention to address broader socioeconomic needs, reducing the burden …

Archaeology In Space: The Sampling Quadrangle Assemblages Research Experiment (Square) On The International Space Station. Report 1: Squares 03 And 05, Justin St. P. Walsh, Shawn Graham, Alice C. Gorman, Chantal Brousseau, Salma Abdullah

Art Faculty Articles and Research

Between January and March 2022, crew aboard the International Space Station (ISS) performed the first archaeological fieldwork in space, the Sampling Quadrangle Assemblages Research Experiment (SQuARE). The experiment aimed to: (1) develop a new understanding of how humans adapt to life in an environmental context for which we are not evolutionarily adapted, using evidence from the observation of material culture; (2) identify disjunctions between planned and actual usage of facilities on a space station; (3) develop and test techniques that enable archaeological research at a distance; and (4) demonstrate the relevance of social science methods and perspectives for improving life …

Examining The Mediating Role Of Effort, Engagement, And Supervisory Satisfaction In The Relationship Between Emotional Labor And Burnout, Lance Washington

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Employee burnout significantly impacts employee well-being, organizational efficiency, and overall productivity. Emotional labor, a central determinant of burnout, is necessary for effective governance but it is not known how the role of effort, engagement, and supervisory satisfaction contribute to burnout among federal employees in the United States government. Given the rising concern over federal employee burnout, understanding these dynamics is vital for policymakers, managers, and employees. Underpinned by the conservation of resources theory, the purpose of this study was to explore the direct effect of emotional labor on burnout and the indirect mediating effects of effort, engagement, and supervisory satisfaction …

Grounded In Liquidity: Writing And Identity In Third Space, Alicja Syska, Carina Buckley, L Heggie

School of Law, Humanities and Social Sciences

This paper argues that writing for publication has the potential to support the creation, negotiation, and stabilising of the professional identities of third space (Whitchurch, 2013) practitioners in higher education. Caught in the impermanence and unpredictability of ‘liquid life’ (Bauman, 2005), third space opens up unique opportunities in writing that afford its practitioners a means of building and sustaining identity. Third space expands academic writing beyond its normative constraints, creating a tension between the apparent permanence and solidity of writing and the liquidity that allows for the negotiation of meaning andidentity. As such, writing, particularly for dissemination, provides third space …

Developing Project Management Success Criteria For Public Health Response Programs, Priyanka Dutta

Harrisburg University Dissertations and Theses

This study addresses an existing gap in the project management literature in regards to the limited research on its application in public health settings. Specifically, this study intends to identify and develop success criteria to help measure the performance of project management methodologies used for public health response programs. Using a qualitative research design in the form of a case study review, the study will consolidate findings and propose a success criteria by which project management methodologies for public health programs can be evaluated. The criteria will contribute to future research and the development of a standardized measure that will …

Stuenkel, Diane, San Jose State University

Emeritus and Retired Faculty Biographies

• University Of San Francisco, Ed.D. 2002
• CSU-San Jose, California, Nursing Education, United States, M.S. 1994
• Valparaiso University, Indiana, United States, Nursing, B.S. 1977

A Dosimetric Evaluation Of Oar Sparing And Treatment Parameters In A Hybrid Volumetric Modulated Arc Therapy Technique And A Modified Volumetric Modulated Arc Technique In Esophageal Cancer Patients, Taniesha Dvoskin

Masters Projects

Introduction

Hybrid volumetric arc therapy (H-VMAT) is an advanced radiation therapy technique that merges three-dimensional and VMAT approaches. This integration enhances dose distribution and effectively spares organs at risk (OAR). By leveraging these technologies, H-VMAT ensures precise target coverage while minimizing overall radiation exposure. Although combining modalities can improve planning outcomes, there are disadvantages to using this technique. This study examines whether a novel modified arc VMAT (M-VMAT) technique can achieve dosimetric outcomes comparable to those of a hybrid VMAT plan.

Methods

Two planning techniques were created for retrospective dosimetric analysis of 11 patients with cancers of the middle and …

Knowledge Building Through Interdisciplinary Units, Jessica A. Deboer

Masters Projects

Research demonstrates that developing a strong knowledge base is vitally important for students to demonstrate comprehension in reading. Comprehension strategies are an important skill to learn, but can only be utilized if a student has background knowledge of the subject. Schema theory supports the idea that knowledge is most effectively acquired through networks of prior knowledge built into the brain’s long term memory. The more vocabulary and concept knowledge a person has in their network of schemata the easier it is for them to connect and hold onto new information. An interdisciplinary curriculum can grow students' knowledge and their comprehension …

Video And Phone Visit Use Differed By Language Preference Among Us Latino And Chinese Adults During The First 9 Months Of The Covid-19 Pandemic: A Cross-Sectional Electronic Health Record Study, Nancy P Gordon, Teresa Y Lin, Antonia Torreblanca, Mary E Reed

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

BACKGROUND: During the first nine months of the COVID-19 emergency, patients were encouraged to use virtual versus clinic visits if in-person care was not deemed necessary by clinical staff. This study examined the association of spoken language preference and ethnicity with use of video versus phone virtual visits by US Latino and Chinese adult patients who got care in the same healthcare system.

METHODS: We analyzed electronic health record data for four groups of adults aged 26-85y who had ≥ 1 primary or specialty care outpatient clinician visits during April-December 2020: 80,869 Latino adults preferring Spanish (LEP Latino); 214,765 Latino …

Molecular Mechanisms Behind Methionine-Derived Glucosinolate Diversity In Brassica Plants, Vivian Kitainda

Arts & Sciences Graduate Student Theses and Dissertations

In Brassica plants, glucosinolates are a diverse class of natural products that serve as plant defense molecules. Their structural diversity comes from the use of amino acids as precursors and elongation of side chains by up to nine carbons, as well as further chemical modifications. Aliphatic methionine-derived glucosinolates are the most abundant form of these compounds. Although both elongation and chemical modification of amino acid sidechains are important for methionine-glucosinolate diversity, its elongation process has not been well described. The chain elongation enzyme methylthioalkylmalate synthase (MAMS) functions as the glucosinolate pathway gatekeeper through its substrate specificity. The x-ray crystal structure …

Nigerian Brewery Industry Leaders' Perceptions Of Emotional Intelligence As A Strategy To Improve Employee Job Satisfaction And Organizational Performance, Funso Ayeni

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Employee job dissatisfaction and turnover rates increase when organizational leaders and managers have low emotional intelligence (EI). Nigerian business leaders have not placed significant importance on EI skills which has resulted in higher turnover and worse business performance. The purpose of this qualitative single-case study was to explore Nigerian brewing industry leaders’ perceptions of effectively applying EI skills to improve employee job satisfaction and organizational performance. Goleman's emotional competencies model and Herzberg’s two-factor theory provided the conceptual framework. The research questions focused on understanding Nigerian brewing industry leaders’ perceptions of effectively applying EI skills. Purposive sampling was used to identify …