Digital Commons Network^™

The Role A Teacher’S Level Of Phonemic Awareness And Phonics Knowledge Plays In The Implementation Of Sound Wall Instruction In Early Childhood Classrooms, Molly Murtagh

Theses and Dissertations

This explanatory sequential mixed-methods study examined the relationship between early elementary teachers’ knowledge of phonemic awareness and phonics and their implementation of sound wall instruction. Although sound walls are increasingly used to support systematic and explicit phonics instruction, little is known about how teachers’ linguistic knowledge influences the fidelity and quality of their implementation. Grounded in Adult Learning Theory and the Simple View of Reading, this study explored how teacher knowledge translates into classroom practice. The quantitative portion of the study required teachers to complete a knowledge survey to assess phonemic awareness and phonics knowledge to identify participants at various …

Rooted In Education: Defining And Exploring Characteristics Of School Learning Gardens And Their Influence On Student Development In Urban Settings, Jason Samuel Fuller

Theses and Dissertations

This study employed an explanatory sequential mixed-methods research design, grounded in a constructionist framework, to investigate the educational significance and perceived impact of school learning gardens in urban settings. It examined the intended outcomes of various school garden models, including their contributions to academic achievement, health, community engagement, and social-emotional well-being. The study explored similarities and differences among school gardens and the perceptions of school administrators and garden facilitators regarding their value, as well as how garden design and characteristics relate to student experiences and educational goals. Quantitative data were drawn from publicly available sources, including the NYC DOE’s Sustainability …

Exploring Elementary Students’ Perceptions Of Community-School Partnerships: Effect On Academic Motivation, Tolisa Khelawan

Theses and Dissertations

This qualitative case study aims to explore the perceptions and experiences of elementary-aged students when participating in community-school partnerships to provide educators with strong methods of supporting students’ academic, social, and emotional development. The study is conducted in an elementary school in proximity to New York City that includes a diverse racial and ethnic demographic student body. The elementary school’s commitment to participating in community-school partnerships has prompted efforts to incorporate service-learning projects for the students. Through interviews, observations, and analysis of school documents, this study examines the experiences of students, teachers, parents, and the school leader during community service …

Examining First-Generation College Students’ Academic, Social, Emotional, And Financial Experiences During The Coronavirus 2019 (Covid-19) Pandemic, Anika Dorsey Good

Theses and Dissertations

This qualitative phenomenological study investigates the experiences of Black first-generation college students enrolled at a two-year college in the Northeast region of the United States during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study examines the narratives of a historically marginalized population in order to uncover the academic, social, and personal challenges they experienced due to the global health crisis. It also aims to explore the impacts, barriers, and resilience strategies of students through semi-structured interviews, reflective journal writing, and related artifacts. Research has shown that Black college students remain a historically underserved group enrolled in higher education. The Department of Education's National …

Exploring Academic Librarians Self-Perceived Teaching Attitudes And Practical Culturally Responsive Teaching (Crt) Strategies In Library Instruction, Jocelyn Castillo

Theses and Dissertations

As campuses continue to see an increase in students from various backgrounds, there is an interest in academic librarianship to explore the use of culturally responsive teaching (CRT) strategies in library instruction. Guided by self-perception theory, this quantitative study examined the relationship between the teaching attitudes of academic librarians and the years of teaching experience, and identified practical CRT strategies in library instruction particularly in undergraduate minority serving institutions in the United States. The teaching attitudes of academic librarians were measured using a modified version of the Teacher Sense of Efficacy Scale (TSES) capturing specific teaching tasks relevant to teaching …

The Latent Lens: Exploring Hetereogeneity In The Use Of Physical Restraints Via Latent Class Analysis And The Lens Model, Andrew Miele

Theses and Dissertations

Research on the use of physical restraints has revealed high rates of heterogeneity between clinical settings and an array of potential risk factors at both the patient and provider level. This is most evident in general medical hospitals, where patient populations are more heterogenous than other settings and physicians often can rely only on observable characteristics of patients to assess safety risks. More recent work has shown that coherent subgroups of restrained patients can be derived from demographic and clinical indicators. Identification of coherent patient subgroups may aid in understanding both the heterogeneity of the restrained patient population and differences …

The Relationship Between K–12 School Administrators’ Adaptive Leadership Behaviors And Self-Efficacy For Crisis Management, Meg Anne Sheehan

Theses and Dissertations

This quantitative correlational study addressed the relationship between K–12 school administrators’ adaptive leadership behaviors and their self-efficacy for crisis management. Guided by Ronald Heifetz’s adaptive leadership theory and Albert Bandura’s self-efficacy theory, the study was an exploration of how adaptability, prior professional experience, and crisis-specific training influence administrators’ confidence in leading through emergencies. Participants included 51 practicing administrators from public schools, mostly located on Long Island, New York, who completed two validated instruments: the Adaptive Leadership Behavior Scale, which is an adaptation from Shams et. al, and the School Administrator Preparedness and Self-Efficacy Questionnaire, which is an adaptation of April …

Amyloid Β-Cholesterol Interplay: Removal Of Cholesterol From The Membranes To Catalyze Aggregation And Amyloid Pathology, Rishiram Baral, Ruan Van Deventer, Yuri L. Lyubchenko

Journal Articles: Pharmaceutical Sciences

The interplay between the cholesterol metabolism and assembly of Aβ42 (the 42-residue form of the amyloid-β peptide) peptides in pathological aggregates is considered one of the major molecular mechanisms in the development of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Numerous in vitro studies led to the finding that high cholesterol levels in membranes accelerate the production of Aβ aggregates. The molecular mechanisms explaining how cholesterol localized inside the membrane bilayer catalyzes the assembly of Aβ aggregates above the membrane remain unknown. We addressed this problem by combining different AFM modalities, including imaging and force spectroscopy, with fluorescence spectroscopy. Our combined studies revealed that …

Chronic In Utero Oxycodone Exposure Alters Placental Small Ev Proteome And Fetal Cardiomyopathy-Linked Pathways, Amin Foroughi Nezhad, Dalia Moore, Victoria L. Schaal, Tousif Ahmed Hediyal, Elizabeth Stone, Sree Kolli, Pranavi Athota, Omar Shukri, Sowmya V. Yelamanchili, Gurudutt Pendyala

Journal Articles: Anesthesiology

Aim: The rising prevalence of opioid use during pregnancy poses serious public health concerns. The placenta is a critical organ during gestation, and opioid exposure can disrupt its function and fetal development. However, the molecular mechanisms through which opioids such as oxycodone affect feto-placental development remain poorly understood. This study aimed to investigate the effects of chronic in-utero oxycodone exposure on the composition and signaling functions of placenta-derived small extracellular vesicles (PSEVs) using a rat model.

Methods: Extracellular vesicles (EVs) were isolated from placental tissue and characterized through nanoparticle tracking analysis, transmission electron microscopy, western blotting, and label-free quantitative proteomics. …

Domestic Worker Abuse Among Diplomatic Force: The Need To Enhance Communication For Domestic Worker Safety, Martyne A. Volcy

Theses and Dissertations

This study investigates patterns of domestic worker abuse in the working relationship between a foreign migrant domestic worker and their diplomat employer. This study focuses on the role of communication as a protection for domestic worker safety. The aim of this research is to explore the unique employer-employee relationship between a domestic worker and diplomat, and whether there are safeguards in place that allow for the domestic worker to perform their duties, without circumstances of domestic worker abuse. This study examines the relationships between communication, knowledge, and power within the system of Diplomacy through the lens of domestic employees alleging …

The Effects Of Youth Extracurricular Involvement On The Home Environment Of Millennial African American Families, Joyce Merius Speed

Theses and Dissertations

This phenomenological qualitative study explored how youth extracurricular involvement shapes the home environments of Millennial African American families. Guided primarily by Ecological Systems Theory, with Critical Race Theory as a complementary lens, the study examined how parents navigated interconnected systems of home, school, peers, and community while responding to racialized barriers embedded in youth programs. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews, observations, and document analysis with six African American mothers. Seven themes emerged: extracurricular activities, family dynamics, parental involvement, academic achievement, social development, cultural identity, and time management. Findings showed that extracurricular participation strengthened family communication, routines, and cohesion; supported …

Violence, Alcoholism, And Marriage In Nineteenth Century New York, Gina Rossetti

Theses and Dissertations

There is a wealth of information regarding the various facets of nineteenth century American history. However, the topic of uxoricide, husband-perpetrated wife murder, has not been the focus of many American historians. Women, particularly in middle- and working-class families, tackled a variety of challenges as American society was enduring many social and cultural changes. Every day women have been often kept in the background of previous historical narratives and were rarely the focus of previous literature. This dissertation places ordinary women as the focal point by examining the questions of how changes in American society, regarding alcohol consumption and views …

The Impact Of School Type, Community, And School Factors On Sixth-Grade Students In New York, John Trotta

Theses and Dissertations

Throughout New York State, sixth-grade learners are taught in a wide variety of schools with various configurations in diverse communities. The institutional and environmental differences may impact students' learning as they navigate a complex transition year. This non-experimental ex post facto study examined whether school type, community, and school factors were associated with the academic proficiency of sixth-graders in English Language Arts and Mathematics in New York State. In addition, the study identified the strongest predictors of high school graduation rates. The theoretical lens of Erikson’s psychosocial theory and Bronfenbrenner’s ecological systems theory was used. This study included 1,112 public …

Identifying At-Risk Readers: The Role Of Advanced Nonsense Word Fluency Probes In Early Literacy Screening, Lindsay K. Mcdermott

Theses and Dissertations

Early identification of reading difficulties is critical for improving literacy outcomes. Nonsense word fluency (NWF) assessments are widely used to evaluate early decoding skills, yet traditional consonant-vowel-consonant (CVC) probes may not fully capture students’ decoding abilities. This study examines whether an advanced NWF probe incorporating consonant blends and digraphs better predicts oral reading fluency (ORF) than the traditional CVC-based probe. Using a correlational design, first-grade benchmark data will be analyzed to compare the predictive strength of correct letter sounds, whole words read, and blending status across both probes. Grounded in the Simple View of Reading and Kilpatrick’s Phonological-Core Deficit Hypothesis, …

The Influence Of Social Media On Elementary School Students: The Perceptions Of Administrators And Elementary Educators, Caitlin Krauszer

Theses and Dissertations

Each day, social media applications are downloaded, uploaded, and changed to meet the users' needs utilizing these apps (Tang & Patrick, 2020). With the constant change in social media platforms, utilization of such platforms is increasing daily and students navigating these platforms is occurring at younger ages (Fredrick at el., 2024; Perez-Chada et al., 2023). This study focused on the social, emotional, and academic impacts students are experiencing due to social media use from the perspectives of building administrators and faculty members. This study also investigated the policies in place within a specific school district that address student social media …

Homework And Well-Being: A Case Study Of Educator, Administrator, And Parent Perspectives In A Long Island Elementary School, Marie Frances Fonzo

Theses and Dissertations

This case study examined stakeholders’ perceptions of homework’s impact on elementary students’ emotional well-being and examined district policy structures designed to support student mental health. Grounded in John Sweller’s Cognitive Load Theory, the study explored how intrinsic, extraneous, and germane cognitive loads interact to elicit a range of emotional responses to homework. The researcher collected data through principal interviews, teacher focus groups, and parent surveys at the Long Island School District. The findings revealed that homework generates both positive and negative outcomes, depending on the assignment's complexity, the support provided, and the student's home environment. Students in primary grades (K …

From Burnout To Balance: The Influence Of Sel On Educator Well-Being And Retention, Megan Murphy

Theses and Dissertations

This study examined the influence of evidence-based social emotional learning (SEL) implementation in elementary schools (kindergarten–Grade 6) on educator well-being and retention. Because the field of education continues to face high levels of educator attrition, this study was focused on identifying factors that support educators remaining in the profession. The purpose of this study was to determine whether implementing an evidence-based SEL program impacts educators’ intent to remain in the classroom. This study was grounded in sociocultural theory and self-determination theory. The collaborative for academic, social and emotional learning framework for SEL served as a conceptual foundation for understanding how …

How Does A Wellness Program Support Students’ Physical, Mental, Emotional, Spiritual, Social And Environmental Well-Being In High School And College?, Zully M. Petrucci

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this qualitative case study was to explore how the implementation of a wellness period as part of the daily schedule supported students’ well-being at a Catholic all-girls high school and in their following years at college. The participants were two guidance counselors, two administrators, two teachers and six students that graduated between 2020 and 2023 for a total of twelve participants. All the participants were female. Data was collected through one-on-one interviews conducted using Teams platform, reflective journaling and artifact collection. The Six dimensions of wellness from the Global Wellness Institute and Bandura’s Social Cognitive Theory were …

Commercial Off-The-Shelf Electronic Warfare Threats To Global Positioning System Receivers, Matthew P. Robinson

Theses and Dissertations

This research evaluates the feasibility of commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) hardware developed into an electronic warfare (EW) system used to degrade or deny Global Positioning System (GPS) receivers. All 16 critical infrastructure sectors rely on GPS signals to operate safely and effectively. Millions of Americans rely on GPS signals and the services they provide in their daily lives, so the loss of these vital services would dramatically impact our society. Our nation’s reliance on the GPS network makes it a potential target for COTS EW threats. The ways and means to develop COTS hardware into EW systems to interfere with GPS receivers …

Disability And Demographic Influences On Advanced Placement Calculus Performance: A Quantitative Analysis, Edward J. Storck

Theses and Dissertations

This quantitative study examined equity in Advanced Placement (AP) Calculus outcomes for students with Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) in New York State. Using statewide data from 16,457 AP Calculus AB and BC exam takers in 2023, the study investigated whether disability status, race/ethnicity, economic status, and English language proficiency predicted performance and the likelihood of passing. Findings revealed that disability status was not a statistically or practically significant predictor of AP Calculus outcomes; students with IEPs performed comparably to peers without IEPs once enrolled. No significant interaction effects were found between disability status and other demographic variables, suggesting that students …

The Relationship Between Extracurricular Participation, Absence Rate, And Academic Achievement In Adolescents: The Moderating Role Of Socioeconomic Status And Gender, Maria A. Pace

Theses and Dissertations

Extracurricular activity (ECA) participation has been linked to higher levels of student engagement, lower absenteeism, and stronger academic achievement. Ensuring equitable access remains critical, as socioeconomic status (SES) and gender may shape opportunities for involvement and the outcomes associated with participation. This study examined the relationships between extracurricular participation, absence rate, and grade point average (GPA) among high school students, while analyzing whether SES and gender moderate these relationships. Grounded in Coleman’s multiple-role theory and Hirschi’s social-control theory, this study employed a quantitative, nonexperimental, correlational design utilizing secondary data from a suburban high school in New York.. The sample included …

Novel Mechanistic Divergence Of The Hsp70–Hsp110 Chaperone System In Fungi And Humans, Justin M. Kidd, Ayil Perrott, Cancan Sun, Anusri Arun Prasath, Spoorti Kalashetti, Sky Evans, Vadim Barnakov

Physiology and Biophysics Publications and Presentations

Heat shock proteins (HSPs) are conserved, ubiquitous molecular chaperones that play various roles in preserving proteostasis, particularly in response to cellular stressors (e.g., heat, oxidation). In addition, their dysregulation is linked to various diseases, including neurodegeneration, cancer, and fungal infections. HSPs are generally grouped by molecular weight into families with related functions. Members of the 70-kDa family (Hsp70s) are central, energy-driven chaperones that bind and release clients in a cyclical manner dependent on ATP hydrolysis, facilitated by multiple co-chaperones such as nucleotide exchange factors (NEFs). In addition to solubilizing protein aggregates, members of the 110-kDa family (Hsp110s) constitute the primary …

Compensatory Responses To Glaucoma Pathology In The Dorsolateral Geniculate Nucleus, Shaylah Mccool, Arnav Jain, Jennie C. Smith, Victoria L. Schaal, Gurudutt Pendyala, Sowmya V. Yelamanchili, Matthew J. Van Hook

Journal Articles: Anesthesiology

Glaucoma disrupts the conveyance of retinal signals to visual regions of the brain such as the dorsolateral geniculate nucleus (dLGN) due to degeneration of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) and their axons. Although plasticity during development allows altered visual experience to modulate dLGN synapses and excitability, evidence for experience-dependent dLGN plasticity in adults is limited. However, glaucoma might trigger compensatory plasticity in adult dLGN, thereby compensating for diminished RGC synaptic drive. Here, we tested this theory using aged DBA/2J mice, which develop high intraocular pressure and glaucoma. In brain slice recordings, we found that diminished RGC inputs could drive robust action …

Differential Sensitivity Of Leukocyte Populations To Staphylococcus Aureus Biofilm, Nichole D. Brandquist, Tammy Kielian

Journal Articles: Pathology and Microbiology

Staphylococcus aureus is a leading cause of prosthetic joint infection (PJI) typified by biofilm formation. Anti-inflammatory granulocytic myeloid-derived suppressor cells (G-MDSCs) represent the main leukocyte population in a mouse model of S. aureus PJI, followed by neutrophils (PMNs), and macrophages (Mφs), which is also seen during human PJI. Defining how each leukocyte population responds to S. aureus biofilm vs planktonic bacteria could have important implications for how S. aureus evades immune detection to facilitate biofilm persistence. This study compared the kinetics of leukocyte death and relationship to mitochondrial ROS (mtROS) production following exposure to planktonic S. aureus or biofilm. Mφs …

Medical Board Of California, Jordan Gierke, Marcus Friedman

California Regulatory Law Reporter

No abstract provided.

Board Of Pharmacy, Lara Horhor, Katie Gonzalez, Marcus Friedman

California Regulatory Law Reporter

No abstract provided.

Department Of Managed Health Care, Jessica Ellison, Marcus Friedman

California Regulatory Law Reporter

No abstract provided.

Bureau Of Private Postsecondary Education, Katie Berg, Katie Gonzalez, Marcus Friedman

California Regulatory Law Reporter

No abstract provided.

Certiorari Transparency, Alexandra L. Klein, Michael L. Smith

Scholarly Articles

Amid increasing controversy over the Supreme Court’s amassing of power, rejection of precedent, reliance on the shadow docket, and Justices’ undisclosed acceptance of lavish gifts, legal scholars, commentators, and politicians have called for bold and far-reaching reforms to the Court, including term limits for Justices, stripping the Court of jurisdiction in certain cases, and adding Justices to the Court. This Article proposes a more subtle reform to the Court’s proceedings: the Court should make its certiorari de-terminations, in which it decides which cases to take up and review, public. Currently, the Court exercises near-complete discretion over the cases it decides …

Guidance For Authors, Editors And Publishers On The Use Of Generative Ai, Christopher J. Smiley, Julie Frantsve-Hawley Phd, Michael Parks Jd, Ee, Francine Lynch Esq., D.Be, Kelly O'Brien, Ellen Thieme Mlis, Thomas Dodson Dds, Mph, Facs, David Foe, Chester Gary D.D.S., J.D., Kelly Lemke Dds, Ms, Jeffrey Platt Dds, Ms, Ba, Toni M. Roucka Rn, Dds, Ma, Facd, Hugh Wunderlich Dds

Individual Scholarship

This paper from AADEJ presents best-practice guidelines for the ethical use of generative artificial intelligence (GAI) and large language models (LLMs) in the creation, editing, and publication processes in dental writing and publishing. It examines how LLMs, such as ChatGPT, can enhance efficiency across writing and publishing workflows, while also identifying the operational risks associated with their design.

Key areas of focus include the implications of LLM algorithms and training data, particularly regarding the risks they pose to intellectual property, privacy, and the integrity of the profession’s literature. Additionally, the paper provides an overview of the legal, ethical, and copyright …