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Volume Cxliv, Number 23, May 23, 2025, Lawrence University

The Lawrentian

No abstract provided.

Exploring The Challenges And Resilience Of Licensed Black Female Counselors In Texas During The Covid-19 Pandemic And George Floyd Era: A Phenomenological Study, Krissandra C. Haynes

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to describe the licensed Black female counselors (LBFCs) that provided mental health services during the COVID-19 pandemic and George Floyd era. This study was guided by Schlossberg’s transition theory to examine how LBFCs navigated professional and personal transitions during a time marked by collective trauma, public health disparities, and heightened racial tension. Participants described this time of counseling clients through parallel experiences of grief and social unrest while also tending to their wellness. Core themes included the duality of the healer role, significance of spiritual and faith-based coping, influence of social activism, …

The Lack Of Awareness And Effects Of Peripheral Artery Disease And Systematic Barriers Of Black Americans: The Need To Increase Clinical Trial Recruitment And Retention Of Black Americans 40 Years Of Age And Over, Cheron Jackson

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative narrative study was to understand Black American men and women 40 years old and over perceptions of participating in clinical trials and evaluating the extent of awareness about Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD). Normative and explanatory theoretical framework was used to set the norms that understand most Black American behavior and explain causes of behaviors. This in turn helped sponsors, investigators, and researchers improve recruitment plans, outreach programs, and increase marketing to attract this population. Using MAXQDA software this research gathered qualitative data from 20 Black American men and women participants 40 years old and over, …

Heroines Of Their Own Stories: Lower Socio-Economic Black And Hispanic Giftedness, Dace Ashcraft

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this hermeneutic phenomenological study was to describe the lived experiences of racially, ethnically, and economically diverse (REED) learners in developing gifted traits and behaviors for female students who have taken part in an extracurricular online course from the northeastern United States. Gifted traits and behaviors, or giftedness, was generally defined as what might be perceived as advanced ability or the potential for advanced ability in one or more specific areas. The theories guiding this study are Vygotsky’s sociocultural theory, which aids in understanding the influence of a student’s culture on higher-order mental functions originating in the social …

Intergenerational Toxic Stress In Preschool Children, Cynthia R. Rovnaghi

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Worldwide there is an outcry for understanding, integrating, preventing, coordinating, and collaboratively treating the neuropsychosocial components of intergenerational transmission of trauma-induced toxic stress (ITTS). The purpose of this quasi-experimental, cross-sectional, secondary analysis of the Hair Biomarkers Study Phase I (HBS-I) was to obtain empirical evidence supporting the introduction of the Theory of Neurogenesis Abruption (ToNA) and to standardize the use of hair biomarkers and child developmental scales for early detection of central nervous system (CNS) dysregulation. Birth and developmental outcomes of children born to parents with a diagnosed serious mental health condition (DSMHC) and/or substance (ab)use (SA/SU) disorder (children, n …

The Nation’S Cold Becomes The Black Community’S Flu: A Phenomenological Study Of Vicarious Traumatization Amongst Black Clergy Affected By Community Violence, Robyn C. Hill

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Clergy are often the frontline community workers when it comes to mental health crises and trauma, especially those working within the Black communities. Black clergy frequently serve in environments with high community violence exposure and are usually subject to vicarious traumatization due to repetitive exposure to trauma narratives during their ministry work. However, studies on vicarious trauma have been geared more towards clinical mental health workers, while studies on clergy have focused more on professional burnout. The purpose of this phenomenological study is to understand the experience of vicarious traumatization of Black clergy who serve congregations that are exposed to …

California Community College Chief Executive Officer Turnover: A Transcendental Phenomenological Study, Ryan Bent

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to understand the turnover causes of chief executive officers (CEOs) within the California community college system. The central research question was, “What are the lived experiences California community college CEOs experience that led to CEO departure?” The theory guiding this study is Ryan and Deci’s (2017) self-determination theory, which helps to explain the relationships between intrinsic and extrinsic factors of basic psychological needs. The research design was a transcendental phenomenology study, which is a form of qualitative design. Three methods of data collection were used. This study focused on participants who are …

Resilient Personalities: Exploring The Psychological Resilience Of Young Adults Through The Hexaco Model Of Personality, Ekaterina Belous

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This study explores the intricate relationship between personality traits and psychological resilience in young adults aged 18-25. Personality traits are conceptualized and assessed using the HEXACO model of personality, which includes six factors: Honesty-Humility, Emotionality, Extraversion, Agreeableness, Conscientiousness, and Openness to Experience. Resilience is assessed using the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC). Employing a cross-sectional, quasi-experimental design, the study compared personality profiles of individuals with low and high resilience to examine how personality factors interact with an individual's capacity to adapt and cope with adversity. The results indicate that Extraversion and Conscientiousness are the strongest positive predictors of resilience, while Emotionality …

The Influence Of Health Literacy Education On Black Women With Chronic Illness: A Hermeneutic Phenomenological Study, Nicole Bonds

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to understand the perceptions of the role health literacy education has on Black women (BW) with chronic illness managing their health at the Undiagnosed and Diagnosed Rare and Chronic Illness Support Group (URCIS) in the United States. The theory that guided this study is the health belief model (HBM), as it suggests that before a person adopts a healthy behavior, they go through six stages first to determine if the behavior change would benefit their health. This study showed the research participants followed the HBM framework as they perceive the threat of illness …

Exploration Of The Congruence Between Environmental Concerns And Eco-Spirituality Programming At Retreat Centers As Experienced By Participants, Jean Golicz

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this multiple-embedded case study was to explore the role of environmental awareness and concerns in influencing engagement in retreat practices that were organized around the theme of eco-spirituality and the impact on organizational leadership and program development at two retreat centers in the northeastern region of the United States. Roman Catholic retreat centers were the focus of the study as they endeavored to fulfill leadership directives reflected in the papal encyclical Laudato si’. The centers examined offered immersion in nature, reflection on the interdependence of organic systems, and the development of action plans to address environmental issues. …

Breaking Point: Examining Secondary Traumatic Stress, Toxic Leadership, Coping Mechanisms, And Well-Being In Non-Uniformed Federal Law Enforcement Personnel, Karen F. Stapleton

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This quantitative correlational study examined the extent to which secondary traumatic stress and toxic leadership were experienced and these variables’ relationships with well-being among non-uniformed federal employees in law enforcement organizations. The research aimed to identify coping strategies beneficial to employee well-being. A sample of 73 federal employees from a U.S. government law enforcement organization was recruited using purposive sampling, excluding uniformed personnel. Measurement instruments included the Secondary Traumatic Stress Scale, Toxic Leadership Scale, Brief COPE, and World Health Organization 5-Item Well-being Index. Statistical analyses using SPSS version 29 revealed a significant, moderate negative correlation between secondary traumatic stress and …

Comparative Efficacy Of Combined Versus Singular Auditory Alpha-Theta Brainwave Entrainment And Hypnotherapy Modalities In Chronic Pain Management, Jennifer Nicole Leavitt

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This experimental quantitative research, a randomized controlled trial, evaluated combined efficacy of auditory alpha-theta brainwave entrainment (BWE) and hypnotherapy in chronic pain management versus each modality alone. Chronic pain is a serious clinical challenge that may benefit from novel, nonpharmacological interventions. Previous studies have demonstrated benefits of both BWE and hypnotherapy for pain; but research on combined effects was not identified. This study hypothesized that a synergistic approach would offer superior pain relief compared to singular modalities. The study utilized a randomized controlled trial design with a sample size of 38 participants, initially, aged 25 to 65 years old, recruited …

Implementation Of Social Support Assessment In Patients Aged 65 And Older With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus To Improve Treatment Adherence In A Primary Care Setting, Angela Allen-Blaine

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Background: There is a growing number of adults aged 65 years and older living with type 2 diabetes. Research shows this population is at a higher risk of losing independence due to diabetic complications. Social support is a key component to help assist patients with taking medications properly, preparing diabetic meals and monitoring blood glucose. Adequate social support may improve the quality of health and well-being in older adults. Social support is not routinely assessed in primary care, but it is routinely treated. This evidence-based practice project aimed to educate clinicians about social support assessment and facilitate implementation of a …

Early Childhood Music Education By Formal Design: Idea To Experience, Ladislao D. Prado

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Academic readiness, measurable growth, and reflective transferable knowledge are hallmarks of a successful music classroom. Yet sound pedagogical and curricular practices are the catalyst for achieving this success. Across the U.S., music programs are thriving in settings where these themes coalesce, save for one: the early childhood music program. At present, no comprehensive music program frameworks exist for this learning environment. Thus, this study aims to identify gaps in early childhood music education literature and national pedagogical and curricular practices, determine why formal music instruction is deficient for this demographic, and examine ways to address this learning community’s needs. As …

Experiences Of Culturally Responsive Pedagogy In Low Income High Schools: Case Study, Tony B. Alexander

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This case study will aim to understand the experiences of implementing culturally responsive pedagogy of teachers at a low-income high school. The setting of this school is critical to the research, because it is one of the most poverty-stricken cities in rural Southern Georgia. The theory guiding this study is Crenshaw’s theory of Intersectionality, due to the prominent levels of inequality occurring in the educational sector. The overlying question of the case study is centrally focused on the lived experiences of culturally responsive teaching in low-income schools. The research design is a case study centered on experienced teachers, since teachers …

A Qualitative Study Exploring The Effects Of Adverse Childhood Experiences On Development And The Role Of Resilience In Shaping Adult Life, Rebecca Anderson

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This qualitative study investigated the impact of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) on development and examines how resilience shapes adult outcomes. Early life experiences significantly influence an individual's lifelong development, with childhood experiences playing a particularly crucial role. Adverse childhood experiences, which encompass abuse, neglect, and household dysfunction, are recognized as a major public health concern due to their association with health disparities and psychosocial issues in various aspects of life, including substance use, relationships, education, and employment. Despite these challenges, some individuals demonstrate remarkable resilience, adapting to new circumstances and maintaining normal functioning in the face of adversity. Themes from …

Pastoral Resilience Of The Igbo Clergy In The United States, Anthony Eboh

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The research provided a description of the pastoral resilience of the Igbo clergy in the United States. It began with an exploration of pastoral stresses and coping strategies employed in mitigating the impacts associated with the exercise of their priestly ministries in the States. The study was theoretically grounded in the framework of Job Resources (JD-R), which integrated positive psychology to guide the research process. The JD-R framework is a model for work that shows how stress in ministry happens when the demands on clergy are greater than the resources they have, including positive psychology, to handle those demands. The …

Mental Health: A Phenomenological Study Of African American Christian’S Perception Of Mental Health And Utilization Of Mental Health Treatment, Justina Mcintosh

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The goal of this phenomenological study is to describe African American Christian’s knowledge of mental health and mental health treatment. The goal is to explore more effective ways to increase African American Christians' awareness of mental illnesses and the use of mental health treatment. The research included 20 participants from the state of Texas. The theory leading this research is the self-labeling theory as it describes the connection between social networks and the utilization of mental health treatment. Participants were interviewed to analyze one’s knowledge, and views of mental illness and the utilization of services. The information from the interviews …

The Impact Of Artificial Intelligence On Art: The Intersection Of Ai-Generated Images And Ethical Concerns, Tetiana Fedotova

Electronic Dissertations and Theses, 2010-current

Artificial intelligence (AI) has gotten significant attention and debates, especially within the creative community, regarding AI-generated visual content. AI-generated images relate to the most popular concerns among artists and designers. This new approach of using AI leads to redefining the culture of creativity that shaped values and principles, which was built by a traditional perspective. However, the ongoing development of open-AI-powered generative tools is challenging society’s adoption of AI in creative realms. This paper explores and analyzes expert opinions and the public perspective of AI-generated algorithms, shedding light on fears and excitement surrounding their influences. Subsequently, ethical concerns, which are …

A Methodology For Nuclei Segmentation In H&E Images Using Efficientnetb7 Guided U-Net And Multiple Data Augmentation Strategies, Furkan Atlan, Emrah Hançer

Turkish Journal of Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences

Automating nuclei segmentation in Hematoxylin and Eosin (H&E) stained images is crucial for advancing computational pathology. Despite significant research, challenges such as overlapping nuclei, varying scanner resolutions, and diverse nuclear morphologies continue to hinder segmentation accuracy. In this paper, we propose a deep-learning based methodology that integrates multiple data augmentation strategies with a U-Net architecture enhanced by the EfficientNetB7 encoder. To enhance generalization, we train the model using a combined dataset from MoNuSeg2018, CPM-17, and CoNSeP, exposing it to diverse staining techniques and tissue types. We then evaluate its robustness on the unseen CryoNuSeg dataset, which consists of fully annotated …

A Semiclassical Model Of The Immediate Temperature Distribution Surrounding The Track Of Heavy Ions With Therapeutic Energies, Martin Rädler, Niayesh Afshordi, Reza Taleei, Katia Parodi, Ramin Abolfath, Julie Lascaud

Department of Radiation Oncology Faculty Papers

Objective. Spikes of high temperature and pressure are created in the vicinity of heavy ions, especially at the Bragg peak. The expected subsequent thermoacoustic effects are however not well understood. In particular, the distribution of the densely packed primary interactions has not been considered in molecular dynamics (MDs) simulations or shock wave solutions. In this work, we derive a dedicated model to describe the primary interactions and their radial distribution, applicable to the modeling of acoustic and thermodynamic effects at the nanoscale. Approach. Starting from first principles, we assemble a semiclassical model of the energy loss of the primary heavy …

2025 May 23 - Board Of Trustees Agenda And Minutes, Board Of Trustees, East Tennessee State University

Board of Trustees Agendas and Minutes

No abstract provided.

Experiences Of Black Women School Counselors Coping With Student Suicide, Megan Patrice Ray

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Suicide represents a major public health and educational concern and presents profound emotional and professional challenges for school counselors. This transcendental phenomenological study explored the lived experiences of nine certified school counselors of color who had experienced the death of a student by suicide while employed in K–12 educational settings. With this research, I sought to answer the question: What are the lived experiences of school counselors of color who have had a student die by suicide? Guided by Moustakas’ transcendental phenomenological framework, this study employed bracketing to set aside researcher bias and uncover the essence of participants lived experiences …

Factors Influencing Student Motivations And Experiences In Stem Course Office Hours, Gabriella R. Dauber, Jeremy L. Hsu

Biology, Chemistry, and Environmental Sciences Faculty Articles and Research

Office hours are a part of nearly all science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) courses, with many academic and affective benefits for students who attend. However, despite their ubiquity, there has only been limited past work examining the sources of knowledge students draw from to shape their perceptions of office hours, as well as the factors that influence students' experiences in STEM course office hours. Here, we conducted semistructured interviews with 20 students enrolled in an introductory STEM course to investigate what motivates students to attend STEM course office hours, the factors that shape their experiences in office hours, and …

Interteach: The Effects Of Active Engagement Compared To Passive Lectures, Bridget A. Barrett

Thesis Projects

Previous research has indicated how Boyce and Hineline’s (2002) interteaching technique is an effective teaching approach compared to traditional methods. Although researchers have examined the efficacy of various components within interteaching, few have altered the lecture component to increase active engagement. Saville et al., (2011) compared the effects of lectures (delayed, regular, and none), concluding no significant difference in performance between delayed and regular lectures within interteaching. Although delaying the lecture showed no difference in performance, the study concluded that removing the lecture component affected test scores. The current study was designed to evaluate the efficiency of the lecture component …

The Rapid Synthesis Of Integral Stimuli, Charlotte E.R. Edmunds, Fraser Milton, Andy J. Wills

School of Psychology

Integral stimuli (e.g., colors varying in saturation and brightness) are classically considered to be processed holistically (i.e., as undifferentiated stimulus wholes); people analyze such stimuli into their consistent dimensions only with substantial time, effort, training, or instruction (Foard & Kemler, 1984). In contrast, Combination Theory (Wills et al., 2015) argues that the dimensions of integral stimuli are quickly combined. Through an investigation of the effects of stimulus presentation time, we support Combination Theory over the classical holistic-to-analytic account. Specifically, using colored squares varying in saturation and brightness, we demonstrate that the prevalence of single-dimension classification increases as stimulus presentation time …

Global Maintenance Of Histone Post-Translational Modifications During The Transition Into Anoxia In Embryos Of The Annual Killifish, Chelsea Hughes, Elizabeth A. Mojica, Dietmar Kültz, Jason E. Podrabsky

Biology Faculty Publications and Presentations

Many organisms have adapted to survive anoxic or hypoxic environments, but the epigenetic responses involved in this successful stress response are not well described in most species. Embryos of the annual killifish have the greatest tolerance to anoxia of all vertebrates, making them a powerful model to study the cellular mechanisms necessary for anoxia tolerance. However, the global histone landscape of this species has never been quantified or explored in relation to stress tolerance. Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry and a Python bioinformatics workflow were used to identify histones and their post-translational modifications. This pipeline resulted in the detection of 252 unique …

Staff Education On Physical Activity As A Therapeutic Option For Anxiety And Depression, Suja Paul

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This project’s aim was to educate staff on physical activity (PA) as a therapeutic option for anxiety and depression to relieve psychotic symptoms, enhancing patients’ quality of life. PA enhances cognitive functioning, reduces anxiety and depression, and decreases the risk of cardiovascular conditions and early death. Patients with severe mental illnesses face barriers to PA and exercise, so providers and policymakers must create an environment that encourages participation. A knowledge gap for staff exists in promoting PA in mental health patients. Healthcare professionals should recommend the right amount of PA for each patient. This initiative aims to increase staff confidence …

Misidentification In A Digital Age: The Ethical Implications And Challenges Of Ai Integration In Scientific Illustration, Bethanie Dian Clawson

Masters Theses

Scientific illustration is a crucial resource in scientific communication, providing visual educational assistance for fields such as science, medicine, and agriculture. This thesis explores the influence of artificial intelligence (AI) on scientific illustration and examines the strengths and weaknesses of AI-generated scientific illustration as compared to human-made illustration. Through the analysis of peer-reviewed sources, this study brings awareness to the common issues presented in AI-generated scientific images, explaining the risks associated with professional, research, and public settings.

To address these challenges, research is presented to explain tactics to mediate potential errors associated with AI-generated images, the importance of human intervention …

The Relationship Between The Jiu Jitsu Anaerobic Performance Test And Physiological Markers In Trained Jiu Jitsu Practitioners, Renee K. Peveler

Masters Theses

Jiu Jitsu relies on aerobic and anaerobic energy systems. A relationship has been demonstrated between the Jiu Jitsu Anaerobic Performance Test (JJAPT) and anaerobic performance. The relationship between the JJAPT and aerobic performance has yet to be quantitatively defined. The purpose of this study was to determine if there is a relationship between the JJAPT and maximum oxygen uptake and ventilatory threshold (VT). Twenty-five Jiu Jitsu subjects participated in two test sessions a minimum of 48 hours apart. During one test session, descriptive statistics were collected, a self-guided treadmill warm-up was completed, followed by the Bruce graded exercise protocol. Ventilatory …