Digital Commons Network^™

Walking With The Wounded: Chaplains As Agents Of Christ’S Healing Ministry, Fred Okechukwu Anucha

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This Doctor of Ministry action research project evaluated the effectiveness of an eight-week Christ-centered training intervention designed to strengthen hospital chaplains’ confidence and clarify sacramental boundaries in end-of-life care at AdventHealth Celebration. Hospital chaplains frequently encounter situations in which patients and families request sacramental or spiritually significant practices during moments of crisis, yet chaplains often lack structured training that addresses how to respond with both pastoral sensitivity and theological clarity within a multifaith healthcare environment.

The project implemented an eight-week training program that integrated theological reflection, case-based discussion, and practical ministry applications intended to strengthen chaplains’ confidence in providing spiritual …

Examining Stereotype Internalization In Female Veterans, Lakeysha Rule

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Stereotypes reflect a specific cognitive bias shaped by the perceptions individuals hold about others or groups. Moreover, Black Americans are often overwhelmingly targeted by racial prejudice and biases. Similarly, Black women frequently face unique challenges stemming from culturally specific stereotypes, which subsequently shape how they view themselves and their role as Black women. Experiences of stereotype internalization are often correlated with numerous adverse mental/physical health outcomes, including deteriorating physical health and declining mental health. In a military culture, stereotypes signify more than mere words or ideas due to their significant occupational implications in this historically male-dominated environment. Prior research has …

The Influence Of Love During Childhood On Young Adult Relationships And Psychological Wellbeing In Rural Appalachia, Kerry Ann Saul Wheeler

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This quantitative correlational study examined the relationships among childhood love, relationship love attitudes, and psychological wellbeing among young adults with childhood experiences in rural Appalachia. Childhood love was operationalized through adult attachment styles, specifically avoidant and anxious attachment, using the Experiences in Close Relationships–Short Form (ECR-S). Love attitudes were measured using the Love Attitudes Scale–Short Form (LAS-S), and psychological wellbeing was assessed using Ryff’s Scales of Psychological Well-Being–18 (PWB). The sample consisted of 88 participants between the ages of 21 and 35. Pearson’s correlation analyses revealed significant negative relationships between attachment insecurity and psychological wellbeing, indicating that higher levels of …

Perceptions Of The Effects Of Launch Control Center Environmental Exposures And Alert Schedules Among Missile Operations Officers: A Mixed Methods Phenomenological Study, Dawnie Rae Ramie

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This mixed methods hermeneutic phenomenological study focused on an investigation of the perceptions of missile operations alert duty and the effects on health and sleep hygiene among Air Force missile operations officers. Questionnaires, interviews, and surveys were all used to gather data on subjects’ experiences and perspectives, including methods to mitigate the effects of poor sleep. Driving questions of research included how missile alert schedules affect sleep habits, as well as how missileers perceived alert duties may impact their health. Data was collected through a web-based Qualtrics Likert questionnaire (N=139), open-ended interviews with purposively selected subjects (N=17), and web-based Qualtrics …

From Frames To Strains: Analytically Modeling Inelastic Deformation Under Mapped Single-Site Impacts From High-Speed Footage To Internal State Variable Codes, Joby Milo Anthony

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This work adds insight to the physical phenomena of microstructural and stress strengthening of metal components by the inelastic deformation from Surface Mechanical Attrition Treatment (SMAT). Impact behaviors observed by high-speed footage of a Crank-Slider Mechanism (CSM) are examined in the context of analytically moving rigid bodies in spacetime and resolving kinematics upon impact until restitution via Finite Element Analysis (FEA). A Coupled Discrete-Finite Element Model (CDFEM) leverages Bammann plasticity, Horstemeyer damage and void nucleation, growth, and coalescence and Cho recrystallization Internal State Variable (ISV) models to show the localization of plastic strain and onset of recrystallization under any single …

From Rituals To Resilience: Individuals’ Lived Experience Of Self-Reflective Relationship Therapy (Srrt), Ehsan Adib Shabahang

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This qualitative Husserlian descriptive phenomenological study addressed a gap in first-person accounts of brief self-guided preventive relationship interventions. One such intervention, Self-Reflective Relationship Therapy (SRRT), is a 6-week self-guided workbook combining structured reflection with brief connection practices. The purpose of the study was to describe individuals' first-person lived experiences 6 to 18 months after completing SRRT. Six participants completed asynchronous written reflections, and the data were analyzed using Husserlian descriptive phenomenology with Colaizzi's seven-step method. Participants described SRRT as a workable path toward reconnection after periods of emotional distance or strain. Carryover centered less on continued adherence to the workbook …

Barn To Brain: Relationship Between Farm Animal Interaction And Well-Being In Rural Adults, Tiffany N. Hendershot

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This study examined the relationship between naturally occurring farm animal interactions and overall well-being among rural adults living in the central Appalachian region, specifically western Maryland, south-central Pennsylvania, and the eastern panhandle of West Virginia. A cross-sectional, correlational design was used to compare adults with at least five hours of naturally occurring farm animal contact per week to those with less than one hour of contact per week. Overall well-being was measured with the PERMA-Profiler, and heart rate variability (HRV) was measured using wearable devices as a physiological indicator of autonomic health. Grounded in polyvagal theory, the biophilia hypothesis, and …

Inadequate Access To Healthcare In Low-Income Hispanic Communities In Brooklyn, Joanna Marie Garcia

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative research was to understand healthcare disparities using the Solar and Irwin conceptual framework and to shed light on healthcare disparities as the reason low-income Hispanic patients, male and female, from the ages of 20-90 in Brooklyn, New York, received inadequate access to healthcare. Healthcare disparities represented a critical issue in providing adequate patient care for adult Hispanic patients within the United States healthcare system. Research into healthcare disparities has been conducted; however, detailed information about the causes of the disparities was lacking, especially concerning inadequate access to healthcare in low-income Hispanic communities. This qualitative research …

Understanding Husbands Who Live With A Spouse Who Abuses Substances: A Phenomenological Study, Starla Rachelle Huckeba

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to describe the lived experiences of Christian non-addicted husbands who are married to a substance-abusing wife in Texas. A thorough review of existing literature indicated that previous research has focused on female non-addicted family members. From this, a gap was identified, and the central research question was developed: How did the Christian non-addicted husband describe the personal effect of living with a substance-abusing wife? Family systems theory, attachment theory, and attachment to God theory guided this study. The sample included 12 husbands whose wives abuse substances. The data collection consisted of the completion …

Reporting For Double Duty: A Transcendental Phenomenological Study Of The Lived Experiences Of Graduate Student-Parents Rearing Young Children In Online Graduate Programs In The United States, Bridgette Oludolapo Ojo

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to understand the lived experiences of graduate student-parents rearing young children aged five and under while enrolled in online graduate programs in the United States. The theory guiding this study was Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological Systems Theory, as it supports an examination of how graduate student-parents’ lived experiences are shaped by interactions across family, academic, institutional, and societal systems. The central research question was: What are the lived experiences of graduate student-parents rearing young children while pursuing online graduate programs? Utilizing this transcendental phenomenological design, the study employed qualitative methods to examine the lived …

The Perceived Effects Of Safety Coaching On Safety Knowledge And Training Transfer: A Qualitative Phenomenological Study, Dariusz Krajewski

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Workplace safety remains a concern in municipal environments, where time and resource constraints limit training. This phenomenological study involved an examination of municipal employees’ experiences with safety coaching and how these experiences influenced the transfer of safety knowledge into daily work practice. Transfer of training theory, social cognitive theory, and transformational leadership theory were the theoretical foundations for this study.

The researcher conducted semi-structured virtual interviews with 15 participants. Data analysis followed Moustakas’ (1984) phenomenological approach. The methodological process involved bracketing, horizontalization, clustering into themes, textural and structural descriptions and essence description. The researcher clustered the thematic findings into seven …

Exploring Nonresident African American Fathers’ Experiences Of Fatherhood, Jennifer Juanita Occil

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to explore nonresident African American fathers’ experiences of fatherhood. Although research has examined the influence of father involvement on children’s social, educational, and psychological outcomes, limited qualitative research has focused on the lived experiences of nonresident African American fathers, particularly those with higher levels of education and from the fathers’ perspectives. Family systems theory guided this study, focusing on differentiation of self, interdependency, and boundary setting. The central research question was, how do nonresident African American fathers describe their experiences of fatherhood? For this study, six nonresident African American fathers who had …

Technology Idolatry: Daniel’S Fourfold Ancient Antidote To This Modern Problem Facing A Christian Singles Group In Dallas, Kimberlee Bousman

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

With the rise of artificial intelligence and devices like cell phones, humanity is more connected to technology than ever. Increasingly, many people, including Christians, have become addicted to technology, spending hours scrolling. One biblical character who lived in an idolatrous culture yet remained entirely devoted to the Lord was Daniel. Making spiritual disciplines an integral part of his life enabled Daniel to stay obedient to God. This study was conducted to help a singles group that was struggling with spending too much time on technology and making it an idol. This qualitative phenomenological study was designed and implemented over seven …

Exploring The Lived Experiences Of Spouses Of Veterans With Ptsd And Nightmares In Coastal Georgia, Heather Evans

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to understand the lived experiences of spouses of veterans diagnosed with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) with recurring nightmares in coastal Georgia. Since the experience of the spouse of a veteran is a unique experience, the theories that guided this study were Bowen’s family systems theory and Lazarus and Folkman’s stress theory. These theories guided this study in comprehending the complexities of this role and the family dynamics and stress of a spouse of a veteran with PTSD and nightmares. Thematic analysis was used in this study to analyze the data. The literature on …

God’S Design For Human Nature: Paul’S Biblical-Theological Use Of Creation Theology In Romans 1:18–32, Eunsoo (Daniel) Seo

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The world in which the Apostle Paul ministered was not a theological vacuum, but a sophisticated marketplace of competing worldviews and diverse moral frameworks. Within the specific milieu of first-century Rome, the cultural forces of Stoic philosophy, Roman imperial ideology, and pagan polytheism created an environment where complex expressions of human nature and sexuality emerged. Dominant Roman social stratifications often celebrated or normalized same-sex relations and blurred the distinctions of the created order. Paul found himself proclaiming a message of a Sovereign Creator in a society that had been conditioned for centuries to view the human nature through the lens …

A Phenomenological Study Of The Experiences Of Facilitators Who Attended A Training Program And Led An Experiential Couple’S Workshop Influenced By The Principles Of Emotionally Focused Therapy, Isabelle Valenciano

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to describe relationship educators’ lived experiences of attending a facilitator training and leading an experiential couple’s workshop grounded in emotionally focused therapy. Experiential learning theory (Kolb, 1984) was the lens used to gain a better understanding of participants’ concrete, novel experiences. Marriage education programs may be an intervention method for distressed couples seeking relationship assistance, prevention, and preparation. As an intervention, marriage education programs show promise for improving several aspects of relationships (Gordon et al., 2019). The increased number of distressed couples in marriage education workshops and programs indicates the need for …

Silent Invaders: Stopping The Spread Of The Spotted Lanternfly, Sloane Z. Hall

Masters Theses

The Spotted Lanternfly, an invasive insect originating from China, has rapidly spread across the United States, harming agriculture, forestry, and surrounding ecosystems. It’s destructive feeding behavior severely impacts grapevines, fruit trees, and hardwoods, which directly affects wine production, farm communities, and local environments. The aim of this research was to investigate the biological, ecological, and economic stakes of the infestation, as well as the methods currently used to monitor and control its spread. Specifically, it examines how communication frameworks, design practices, and extension approaches influence producers’ adoption of recommended Integrated Pest Management (IPM) protocols. Through the research, a literature review, …

Factors Associated With Vaping Frequency Among University Students, Oluwatosin Marylyn Oduneye

Masters Theses

Electronic cigarette use among university students is a growing public health concern, with approximately 20-25% reporting current use. Despite extensive research on vaping initiation, factors associated with vaping frequency among established users remain understudied. This study examined stress-coping mechanisms, peer influence, and health risk perceptions as predictors of vaping frequency, guided by Bandura's Social Cognitive Theory (SCT). A quantitative cross-sectional survey was administered via Microsoft Forms to 399 university students aged 21-25 with recent vaping experience, recruited nationally through campus flyers and online platforms. Multiple linear regression was conducted in SAS OnDemand for Academics, with stress-coping, peer influence, and health …

Seed Germination And In Vitro Micropropagation Of Tulipa Gesneriana, Teeba Hassan Abdul-Karim, Sumaya F. Hamad

Baghdad Science Journal

An effective method for the in vitro propagation of Tulipa gesneriana was developed using Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium. Seeds were first cultured on hormone-free MS medium, achieving %90 germination after 30 days. Seedlings were obtained, and flowering stem explants excised from these seedlings were used for callus induction. The best callus formation was obtained on MS medium supplemented with thidiazuron (TDZ1.5mg/L) and 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D1.5mg/L). Shoot proliferation was most effective on MS medium containing 2.0 mg/L benzyladenine (BA) and 0.2 mg/L indole-3-butyric acid (IBA), and bulb formation was promoted by 0.5 mg/L BA, producing 3–4 bulbs per explant, while …

The Effect Of Spirulina Supplementation Into The Basal Diet On The Productivity And Environmental Cost Of Thin-Tailed Lambs Fattening, Nadlirotun Luthfi, Edy Rianto, Sutaryo Sutaryo, Endang Purbowati, Hasna Fajar Suryani

Baghdad Science Journal

Spirulina platensis is a supplement that has a good impact on the growth performance of lambs, but information about the amount of this substance in feed efficiency and environmental impact is still required to be determined. The study aimed to examine the effect of the supplementation level of Spirulina platensis in the basal diet on the productivity and environmental costs of Thin-tailed lambs fattening. Twenty-four male lambs (aged 4 months; weighing 14.99 kg) were allocated to a completely randomized design with 4 treatments and six replications in each treatment. The treatments were 1) 100% basal diet without Spirulina supplementation (T0); …

Antagonistic Activities Of Pseudomonas Aeruginosa Exoproducts Against Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus, Sirwan M. Muhammed Ameen

Baghdad Science Journal

The rise of Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) poses a serious global health threat and reduces the efficacy of current treatments. The present study investigates the antibacterial and antibiofilm properties of exoproducts from Pseudomonas aeruginosa against MRSA. The confirmation of the identities of P.aeruginosa and S.aureus was achieved through the sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene. Using the agar diffusion assay, the cell-free supernatants (PA-CFS) derived from both the extensively drug-resistant (XDR) P. aeruginosa strain and the reference strain ATCC 27853 demonstrated notable antibacterial activity against MRSA, exhibiting inhibition zones ranging from 28.67 ± 0.33 to 33.33 ± 0.33 mm and …

Adsorption And Kinetic Study Of Toxic Dye (Methylene Blue) Removal From Simulated Industrial Wastewater Using Sustainable Material, Zahraa H. Obaid, Jasim M. Salman, Alaa R. Omran, Noor S. Naji

Baghdad Science Journal

Water pollution is a global issue that affects both human health and the environment. The increasing use of the methylene blue (Mb) dye in various industrial applications poses significant risks. The study aimed to use hydrochloric acid-modified Ziziphus Spina Christi powdered leaves (ZSC) as an effective and low-cost adsorbent for removing Mb dye from effluents. Batch experiments were conducted with contact times of 10–180 minutes, initial dye concentrations of 10–60 mg/L, temperatures of 25–60°C, pH values of 5–9, and sorbent dosages of 0.25-2 g per 40 ml of dye solution. The results showed that the highest removal efficiency of Mb …

Ecological Health Risk Assessment Of Some Heavy Metals In Dust From Some Nursery And Primary Schools Of Al-Kut City, Iraq, Wisam Thamer Al-Mayah, Zahraa Zahraw Al-Janabi, Isam Hani Hameed

Baghdad Science Journal

Heavy metals in dust are considered one of the most important environmental consequences of human activities. The objectives of this study are to investigate the ecological risk of heavy metals on human health in the dust of schools in Kut City, Iraq. The dust samples were collected from 25 primary schools and kindergartens. The pH, EC, TDS, and concentrations of heavy metals (Pb, Ni, Cr, Cd, Zn, Co, Mn) were measured. The heavy metals were analyzed using an atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The contamination factor (CF), enrichment factor (EF), and pollution load index (PLI) were calculated. The results showed that the …

Qoe Enhancement For Video Streaming Based On Attention U-Net Model, Iman Kadhum Abbood, Doaa Ayed Mohammed, Israa Hadi Ali, Sarah Abdul-Ridha Abed

Baghdad Science Journal

Video streaming services, including YouTube, Netflix, and Amazon, account for a large portion of global internet traffic. Therefore, the maintenance of high visual quality is very important to user satisfaction and overall Quality of Experience (QoE) for these users. However, fluctuating bandwidth often causes frame drops and motion discontinuities, resulting in visual artifacts and degraded QoE. Although existing video frame interpolation methods attempt to address these challenges, most remain limited in their ability to sustain performance under bandwidth-constrained environments. To overcome these limitations, IncepU-Net has been introduced. IncepU-Net is proposed as an enhanced U-Net architecture that integrates multi-scale inception modules …

Land Cover Changes And Distribution Of Carbon Stocks In The Tembawang Agroforestry Area, Bengkayang Regency, West Kalimantan, Indonesia, Rafdinal Rafdinal, Riza Linda, Adityo Raynaldo, Eko Subrata

Baghdad Science Journal

Tembawang agroforestry represents a traditional forest management system practiced by Dayak communities in Kalimantan and is recognized for its ecological and livelihood functions. This study examines land cover changes and carbon stock distribution in Tembawang agroforestry in Cipta Karya Village, West Kalimantan. The research applied a combination of field surveys and remote sensing using Sentinel satellite imagery from 2019 and 2023. Vegetation data were collected through observation plots to assess species composition, density, and biomass for carbon estimation using allometric equations. A total of 17 tree species were identified across Tembawang and rubber forest areas. Four species showed the highest …

Comparative Hematological And Biochemical Alterations Associated With Gram-Negative Bacterial Infections Of Lower Urinary Tract In Dogs And Cats, Mohamed Alasmar, Maged El-Ashker, Mohammed Albaloushi, Mayyadah Alkuwayti, Mohamed Marzok

The Thai Journal of Veterinary Medicine

The aim of this study was to investigate hematological and biochemical alterations associated with gram-negative bacterial lower urinary tract infections (UTIs) in dogs and cats. For this purpose, 56 dogs and 36 cats were examined between October 2022 and May 2023. Twenty-eight dogs and twenty-two cats with clinical signs of lower UTIs were confirmed using ultrasonography, urinalysis, hematobiochemical analysis, and molecular identification of recovered pathogen. In dogs, UTIs were significantly associated with pyuria (82%), crystalluria (85.7%), and proteinuria. There was also significant decrease in total protein and globulin levels compared to those in the control. A significant increase in BUN, …

Hantaviruses As Priority Zoonotic Diseases: A Comprehensive Review, Wimbuh Tri Widodo, Aswin Rafif Khairullah, Rahmania Ambarika, Widoretno Widoretno, Masri Sembiring Maha, Abdul Hadi Furqoni, Lisa Andriani Lienggonegoro, Bima Putra Pratama, M. Hasinuddin, Zakkiyatus Zainiyah, Eny Susanti, Mufarika Mufarika, Luluk Hermawati, Alvina Setiawardani, Syahputra Wibowo, Arif Nur Muhammad Ansori

The Thai Journal of Veterinary Medicine

Hantaviruses are zoonotic agents that play a significant role in global public health, primarily due to their ability to cause two highly severe clinical syndromes: Hemorrhagic Fever with Renal Syndrome (HFRS), which is predominant in Eurasia, and Hantavirus Cardiopulmonary Syndrome (HCPS/HPS), which is primarily found in the Americas. Although long recognized, the complex interactions between the virus, its rodent reservoir, and environmental factors make hantaviruses still a relevant epidemiological threat today. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of their virological characteristics, epidemiological patterns, pathogenesis mechanisms, risk factors, diagnostic methods, therapeutic options, prevention strategies, and the latest developments in …

Hak Waris Anak Luar Kawin Yang Lahir Dari Perkawinan Campuran Menurut Kuhperdata Dan Uu No.1 Tahun 1974 Tentang Perkawinan, Wijayanto Setiawan

Jurnal Hukum & Pembangunan

Abstract

Pengelolaan Konflik Pemanfaatan Sumber Daya Hutan Dalam Mewujudkan Hak Masyarakat Lokal, Agus Surono

Jurnal Hukum & Pembangunan

Abstract

Turn Your Expertise Into Income Through Goal, Russell Stein

Staff Professional Development Week

Russell Stein introduces staff to GOAL and the Learning and Training Center as a simple way to turn their knowledge into short, online learning modules. The main idea: staff already have valuable knowledge, and this workshop shows how to share it in a way that helps others and may also bring in income.

Participants will learn how GOAL supports lifelong learning and may offer ways to earn money in the future. The workshop will also introduce a flexible profit sharing model and explain how Instructor Design Services makes things easier. Staff do not need to build a full course. They …