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Cotton/Soybean Insect Newsletter, August 06, 2026, Jeremy K. Greene

Clemson University Cotton/Soybean Insect Newsletter

No abstract provided.

Perceiving A Competitor: Culture And Cognitive Biases Of The Strong Enemy And The Pacing Threat, Allison Abbe

Books, Monographs & Collaborative Studies

The United States and China are prone to systematic cognitive and cultural biases that distort their mutual perceptions. Addressing these biases through cultural education and professional development is essential to overcoming blind spots in understanding the United States’ primary competitor. By applying dynamic constructivist theories from cross-cultural psychology to national security, this monograph builds on existing scholarship to reveal specific cognitive asymmetries between Western and East Asian observers. Differences such as holism, dialecticism, social inference, and perspective taking reflect the cultural lenses through which security actors perceive their competitors’ actions and intentions, but US observers often overlook the cultural factors …

Parents' Perspectives Of Factors Contributing To Speech Delays In Children Born During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Alva Jessica Daniels

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The COVID-19 pandemic significantly disrupted children’s developmental environments by limiting access to childcare, healthcare, and opportunities for social interaction, raising concerns about speech and language outcomes in children born during this period. Grounded in Bronfenbrenner’s ecological systems theory, this qualitative study was an exploration of factors associated with speech and language delays and examined parents’ perceptions and experiences in Philadelphia. The qualitative study included a sample of nine parents who cared for children during the COVID-19 pandemic quarantine period. Analysis of the interview data revealed five emergent themes: (a) limited social interaction during the pandemic, (b) delayed identification and diagnosis …

General Education Teachers’ Perceptions Regarding Supporting Students With Autism Spectrum Disorder In Inclusive Elementary Mainstream Classrooms In Central California, Leah Blake

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The problem addressed in this study was a gap in practice about general education teachers’ support of students with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in inclusive elementary mainstream classrooms in Central California, where regional inclusion rates fall below state and national averages. Grounded in Universal Design for Learning, the purpose of the study was to explore general education teachers’ perceptions regarding inclusion and recommended support for students with ASD in inclusive elementary mainstream classrooms. For this basic qualitative study, semistructured interviews were conducted with 12 general education teachers who taught grades 1 through 6. Through open, in vivo, and subsequent axial …

Cultural Integration Of Ethiopian Immigrants And Refugees And Role Of Ethnic Nonprofits In Chicago, Aklilu Abraham Adeye

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Despite the availability of institutional services and interventions, cultural integration outcomes among refugees and immigrants often remain uneven. Existing literature has demonstrated the important role of nonprofit organizations in supporting refugee and immigrant resettlement and early integration. However, comparatively little research has examined how refugees and immigrants themselves experience the influence of nonprofit services on long-term cultural integration. The purpose of this general qualitative study was to explore how nonprofit services and programs influence the cultural integration experiences of Ethiopian refugees and immigrants in Chicago through the lens of the new assimilation theory and the integration context perspective. Data were …

Effective Strategies Small Business Owners Use To Sustain Their Businesses During Periods Of Disruption, Tracey Starr Moon

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Small businesses experience significant challenges sustaining operations during periods of disruption, including economic uncertainty, natural disasters, supply chain interruptions, and other environmental changes. This is a concern for small business owners because disruptions can reduce revenue and strain limited financial and operational resources, putting their continued survival at risk. Grounded in the resilience theory, the purpose of this qualitative pragmatic inquiry project was to identify and explore effective strategies small business owners use to sustain their businesses during times of disruption. The participants were six small business owners in the southern United States. Data were collected through semistructured interviews and …

Strategies To Improve Communication Among Culturally Diverse International Manufacturing Teams, Bessem Enow Nchenge

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Inefficient communication and insufficient collaboration in multicultural organizations can result in suboptimal team performance and stifle employee creativity. Manufacturing firm leaders who struggle with communication issues are concerned about deterioration in team cohesion, worker productivity, and information flow. Grounded in the theory of planned behavior, this qualitative, pragmatic inquiry research project explored strategies that leaders of international manufacturing firms use to bridge cultural differences and improve communication among international team members to enhance team performance. The participants were six leaders from manufacturing firms in the southwestern United States with international manufacturing agreements who demonstrated measurable success in improving communication among …

Implementing Routine Trauma Screening Using The Ace Questionnaire And Pcl-5, Esther Amune

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This evaluation of a quality improvement initiative addressed inconsistent trauma screening and electronic documentation at an outpatient site. The baseline trauma-screening completion rate was 60%, below the organization's 80% target. The gap was relevant to nursing because nurses support screening, documentation, referral, coordination, and follow-up. The practice-focused question addressed whether the Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) Questionnaire and the Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist for the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), or PCL-5, would improve documented screening completion and trauma-informed treatment planning over 10 weeks. The purpose was to incorporate both tools into care and …

Staff Education To Improve Skills In Detecting And Addressing Medication Nonadherence Among The Psychiatric Nursing Staff, Uchenna Owunna

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) project was a staff education project focused on addressing the knowledge gap of medication nonadherence patterns by the psychiatric nurses in outpatient settings. Nonadherence to psychiatric medications is a major health issue that leads to disruptions of care and symptom relapse, hospitalization, and suboptimal treatment outcomes as well as high healthcare costs. Thus, improving the capacity of the psychiatric nurses to enhance medication adherence through staff education is essential. The purpose of this DNP project was to determine if a comprehensive medication adherence education program would increase psychiatric nurses’ knowledge and skills in assessing …

Exploring The Experiences Of Nigerian Army Personnel With Toxic Leadership, Shamsideen Toyin Shafaru

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Toxic leadership has been shown to be present in Nigeria, promoting negative consequences for organizations and adverse effects on employee performance. However, how toxic leadership behaviors impact Nigerian Army operations and the performance of personnel have not been studied. Exploring toxic leadership in the Nigerian Army is important because the way in which leaders exercise influence determines the effects it has on followers. The purpose of this general qualitative study was to examine the lived experiences of Nigerian Army personnel who had worked as subordinates of individuals who exhibited toxic leadership traits and its impact on their performance. The theoretical …

Impact Of Emerging Technologies On Leadership Identity Of Behavioral Health Leaders, Jenah Habermehl

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Emerging technologies are reshaping behavioral health leadership by changing documentation, communication, ethical responsibilities, and role expectations. Qualitative case study research methodology was used in this study. The problem addressed in this case study was the limited understanding of how emerging technologies influence the leadership identity and professional values of behavioral health leaders. The Baldrige Performance Excellence Framework guided this study of behavioral health leaders at a privately operated behavioral health organization in the South Atlantic region of the United States. Data were collected by conducting semistructured interviews with four behavioral health leaders at the organization and gathering internal archival and …

Placement Scores As A Predictor Of Math Success For Students With Learning Disabilities, Latosha Knighton Williams

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The problem that was addressed through this study was that students with learning disabilities (SWLDs) are not appropriately placed in college math courses at Southern State Community College (SSCC, a pseudonym). Guided by Piaget’s constructivist learning theory, the purpose of this quantitative study was to examine the predictive relationships between American College Testing (ACT), Postsecondary Education Readiness Test (PERT), and Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT) standardized placement exams math scores and Intermediate and College Algebra course success. The sample in this study consisted of 946 SWLDs who completed at least one standardized placement math exam and enrolled in either an Intermediate …

Improving Pcu Nurses’ Knowledge Of Evidence-Based Mindfulness Techniques Through Targeted Education, Dairia Moore Mohammed

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The progressive care unit (PCU) is a high-acuity setting in which nurses manage patients with complex health conditions, respond to rapid changes in clinical status, and navigate ongoing physical and emotional demands. The practice problem that I addressed was, presently, stress-management support is typically informal, optional, and reactive rather than systematic, evidence-based, and preventive. The purpose of this project was to implement and evaluate a structured educational intervention designed to increase nurses’ knowledge of evidence-based mindfulness breathing techniques that could be integrated into the daily PCU workflow. The practice-focused question was: In PCU nurses in an acute care setting, how …

Prompt Framing And Evidence Requirement For Ai-Generated Educational Responses In Dental Education: Experimental Study., Man Hung, Corban Ward, Owen Cohen, Jacob Marx, Zachary Smit, Jacob Newman, Martin S. Lipsky

Institute on Aging Publications

Large language models are increasingly used in health professions education; however, the role of prompt design in shaping their outputs remains poorly understood in clinical training contexts. In dentistry, where information presentation, perceived credibility, and procedural reasoning are important, the effects of instructional framing and evidence requirements on AI-generated educational responses are particularly relevant.

China Maritime Report #57: Sailing Thousands Of Miles Without Losing Course: The Roles And Authorities Of The Plan Party Standing Committee, Jeffrey Becker, Brian Waidelich

CMSI China Maritime Reports

Main Findings:

• The Navy Party Standing Committee (NPSC) is the Chinese Navy’s core leadership body, but it does not operate independently; it functions within the broader Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and PRC military hierarchy.
• Politically, the NPSC ensures that China’s Navy remains loyal to the CCP with Xi Jinping at its core. Administratively, it ultimately directs personnel, training, procurement, logistics, fiscal management, readiness, and modernization.
• Military reforms have preserved the NPSC’s authoritative role within the Navy, and today’s members have gained more diverse operational experience earlier in their careers than their predecessors. 
• At the same time, members’ shorter average tenures …

Rockin’ Rover On The Rainbow Road, Michael Kolta, Lawrence Burgee, Ying Yuan

Transformations

This paper presents a progressive series of age-appropriate lesson plans for grades K-12 that all use the same interdisciplinary activity to educate students about Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics (STEAM) simultaneously. Technology from Texas Instruments (TI) was employed including a TI Nspire graphing calculator that can run Python programs, a TI Innovator Hub, and a TI Rover. The TI Rover is a small, robotic car that has sensors and is controlled by the calculator via the Hub hardware interface. A Python program was developed that uses the color sensor in the Rover to detect the color on colored paper …

Economic Development Corporations In Small Communities, Mary L. Bullock

Certified Public Manager® Applied Research

This study evaluates the effectiveness of Type A and Type B Economic Development Corporations (EDCs) in supporting economic growth in small Texas communities. Using key indicators such as population trends, employment, infrastructure, housing, and legal frameworks, this paper compares how each EDC structure addresses these issues. While both Type A and Type B Economic Development Corporations contribute to economic growth, Type B EDCs are generally more effective in small Texas communities due to their broad ability to fund housing projects, create critical infrastructure, and shape quality-of-life community development projects that have a more immediate and measurable impact on unemployment, population …

Artificial Intelligence And Law Enforcement: Transforming Current And Future Policing Operations, Decision-Making, And Public Trust, Chad Taylor

Certified Public Manager® Applied Research

Artificial intelligence is having a major impact on our society. Many of our industries are attempting to grasp the benefits of this technology, and law enforcement is no different. Investigative, efficiency and administrative tools are all utilizing artificial intelligence to some degree. However, new tools bring new concern from communities. This article will investigate how artificial intelligence is being integrated into current and future law enforcement operations and decision-making. It will also investigate how AI affects public trust and what the profession needs to do to build community confidence. Regardless, artificial intelligence is a technology that is here and will …

The Human Side Of Leadership: How Personality Assessments Build Self-Aware, Accountable, And Emotionally Intelligent Public Sector Leaders, Hillary Faulkner

Certified Public Manager® Applied Research

Public sector organizations face a persistent set of leadership challenges, including miscommunication, inconsistent accountability, and reactive decision-making, that are rarely resolved through technical training alone. This study examines how the intentional use of personality assessments can improve self-awareness, emotional intelligence, accountability, and communication among public sector leaders, and how those improvements contribute to more effective and cohesive leadership teams. Using a qualitative case study design, this research draws on Organization Analysis and Design (OAD) personality assessment data and in-depth interviews with two supervisors at a municipal government organization in Henderson, Texas, who participated in a structured six-month personality-based leadership development …

How Can Electronic Timekeeping Systems Provide Cost And Time Savings Compared To Manual Time Entry And Paper-Based Timesheets?, Jill Childs

Certified Public Manager® Applied Research

Paper-based timekeeping methods have historically been the default way for both municipalities and businesses to document hours worked by employees. However, due to analog timekeeping’s lack of verification methods, human error and intentional dishonesty combine to make this method unreliable. These discrepancies are also costly, as human resources staff must be compensated for the time it takes to verify entries and correct mistakes, and if unchecked, the falsified time can potentially result in thousands of dollars of unearned wages lost. This article details various methods and motivations for falsification and argues for the implementation of electronic timekeeping systems, such as …

Succession, Sustainability, And Service: Workforce And Leadership Challenges In Rural Municipal Governments, Dewayne Armstrong

Certified Public Manager® Applied Research

Rural municipal governments across Texas and the United States face a convergence of workforce and leadership challenges that threaten long-term service delivery and organizational sustainability. An aging public-sector workforce, persistent recruitment and retention constraints, and fragile leadership continuity interact in ways that uniquely affect small and rural communities. Public works departments, which play a vital role in infrastructure maintenance and regulatory compliance, are particularly vulnerable as experienced employees approach retirement without adequate succession pipelines or mechanisms for institutional knowledge transfer. At the same time, small-town governments face ongoing difficulty attracting and retaining qualified personnel due to constrained fiscal capacity, geographic …

Healthcare Professionals' Experiences Of Mental Health Crises Among People Experiencing Homelessness, John P. Gilmore

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

Background: People experiencing homelessness face significant barriers to accessing mental health care, often resulting in untreated psychological distress and crisis presentations. In Ireland, the absence of dedicated mental health services for this population means that frontline clinicians frequently manage acute mental health deterioration within generalist settings not designed or resourced for such care.

Aim: To explore the experiences of healthcare professionals responding to mental health crises among individuals experiencing homelessness and to identify systemic, relational, and organisational factors influencing care delivery.

Methods: A descriptive qualitative study informed by critical realism was conducted using semi-structured interviews with 14 healthcare professionals, including …

Clarifying The Concept Of Virtual Nurse: A Concept Analysis For Aging And Chronic Care, Chia-Hui Chou, Heng-Hsin Tung

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

As the global healthcare landscape grapples with aging populations and the growing burden of chronic diseases, digital innovations like the Virtual Nurse (VN)—AI-powered embodied conversational agents—are gaining recognition for their potential to support patient self-management and improve care delivery. This study applies Walker and Avant's 8-step concept analysis to clarify the definition, boundaries, and essential characteristics of the Virtual Nurse. Thirteen peer-reviewed articles published from 2010 to 2021 were reviewed, focusing on their applicability to older adults and chronic disease management. Four defining attributes emerged: (1) clinical interactivity, (2) human-like empathy, (3) accessibility and understandability, and (4) scalability with feedback …

Strategies Human Resource Leaders Use To Implement Holistic Wellness Programs To Reduce Absenteeism And Increase Profitability, Diane Hardy

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Human resources (HR) leaders struggle to reduce employee absenteeism and increase organizational profitability due to a lack of effective strategies for implementing holistic wellness programs. Identifying effective strategies for implementing holistic wellness programs is essential for helping HR leaders address absenteeism and strengthen organizational profitability. Grounded in the Pender health promotion model, the purpose of this qualitative pragmatic inquiry was to identify and explore effective strategies for implementing holistic wellness programs to reduce employee absenteeism and increase organizational profitability. Participants were nine HR leaders from medium- to large-sized organizations across the United States who implemented holistic wellness programs to reduce …

Implementation Of An Electronic Gad-7 Screening Tool To Improve Anxiety Screening Completion And Documentation, Obiageli L. Ukatu

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Quality Improvement Initiative Implementation of an Electronic GAD-7 Screening Tool to Improve Anxiety Screening Completion and Documentation

Probation Officers’ Experiences Supervising Domestic And Intimate Partner Violent Probationers, Megan Davis

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This study includes insights regarding potential supervision challenges that are faced by probation officers overseeing domestic and intimate partner violence (IPV) probationers, emphasizing the importance of effective management to enhance offender accountability and victim safety. The relationship dynamic between probation officers and domestic and IPV probationers influences recidivism rates, highlighting the importance of effective and empathetic supervision. The purpose of this study was to identify gaps in training, supervision strategies, and resources, with a focus on integrating attachment-based practices to improve outcomes. Guided by the attachment theory, the research included key questions about supervision effectiveness and relational dynamics. Employing a …

Executive Summary On Prolonged Emergency Department Waiting Period, Peace Adaugo Ezirim

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Emergency departments (EDs) are essential access points to healthcare for patients with urgent and emergent conditions. Yet, many EDs face persistent challenges, including overcrowding, prolonged wait times, and delays in care. These challenges can significantly affect patient safety, quality of care, and overall healthcare outcomes. Patients presenting with symptoms, such as cardiac, pulmonary, or abdominal discomfort, may initially appear clinically stable, but their conditions can deteriorate rapidly while awaiting evaluation by a provider. Without structured reassessment processes and efficient communication systems, early warning signs of clinical decline may be missed. ED crowding has become a widespread operational and patient safety …

Staff Education On Evidence-Based Weight Management Strategies For Adults With Mental Health Disorders And Type Ii Diabetes Mellitus, Abimbola Oluwafunmilayo Somoye

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Summary The type of project is a staff education project, specifically on evidence-based weight loss strategies that the facility can use to manage adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and co-morbid mental health disorder(s). The evidence-based practice (EBP) question is: Does educating staff on weight loss strategies for T2DM with mental health disorder(s) improve staff knowledge and confidence within one month of staff education program implementation? The facility’s staff managed these patients using standardized diabetes management practices and have no formal staff education program that focuses on evidence-based weight loss strategies for this population. The staff has a vast …

The Impact Of Sexual Harassment Policy Strictness And Supervisory Support On Reporting Behavior In Local, County, And State Female Law Enforcement Officers In Northeastern Kansas, Cleora Maxine Tousey

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This quantitative study examined the impact of stricter sexual harassment policies with protections against retaliation and stronger supervisory support on the likelihood that female law enforcement officers would report incidents of sexual harassment by male colleagues. The problem addressed was the underreporting of sexual harassment in policing, a critical issue given the negative impact on victims and workplace culture. Connell’s theory of masculinity served as the theoretical framework, indicating how traditional power dynamics may negatively influence the likelihood of reporting. Using a correlational design, this study surveyed municipal, county, and state female officers in Northeastern Kansas to measure their perceptions …

Staff Education To Increase Knowledge And Shape Attitudes Among Staff To Improve Control Of Hypertension In Primary Care, Doris Marie Mosby-Peterson

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This doctoral project was an evidence-based staff education intervention designed to improve healthcare team knowledge, attitudes, and clinical practices related to the management of uncontrolled hypertension within a federally qualified health center (FQHC). The practice problem addressed was the persistent challenge of uncontrolled hypertension among patients receiving primary care services, which contributes to increased risk for cardiovascular disease, stroke, and preventable health disparities. Thus, the practice-focused question that guided the project asked whether a multidisciplinary staff education program at a rural FQHC improve healthcare staff’s knowledge, skills, attitudes, and workflow related to the management of uncontrolled hypertension? Findings demonstrated statistically …