Digital Commons Network^™

Organizational Leadership Strategies For Growing Membership In A Start-Up Online Business, Pascale Rheault

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Leaders of small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) play a critical role in driving the global economy; however, online start-ups often face high failure rates within their first year. Some start-up leaders fail to implement effective promotional strategies, hindering their ability to succeed in a competitive market. Grounded in the Baldrige performance excellence framework, the purpose of this qualitative single case study was to explore effective strategies business leaders use to grow membership in an online start-up business. The participants were two senior leaders in the Toronto region’s start-up sector. Data were collected using semistructured interviews as well as a review …

Staff Education Project Strategies For Reducing No-Shows, Ekop Graham

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The staff education project addressed a gap in managing patient no-shows at a psychiatric clinic, where approximately 25% of scheduled appointments were missed. This issue severely impacted patient care continuity, delayed necessary treatments, and increased healthcare costs. The clinic’s practices of using reminder calls and emails had been insufficient in reducing no-shows. A literature review highlighted several effective interventions in imprvoing patient adherence and reducing missed appointments, such as facilitated appointment scheduling, personalized communication, and patient-centered strategies. The project aimed to enhance the nursing staff’s knowledge in addressing patient no-shows by educating them on causes, including logistical barriers and psychological …

Participatory Longitudinal Qualitative Interview Study To Understand Autistic Gynaecological And Obstetric Health: The Autism From Menstruation To Menopause Study Protocol, Amy Brown, Kathryn Williams, Aimee Grant, Gemma L. Williams, Harriet Axbey, Abigail Wilkins, Ellen Firth, Hazel Lim, Helen Cave, Christina Nicolaidis, Multiple Additional Authors

School of Social Work Faculty Publications and Presentations

Autism is a lifelong minority neurotype present from birth. There is a dearth of credible evidence to suggest gender variation in Autism prevalence, despite historical under-diagnosis of women. Autistic people Assigned Female At Birth (AFAB) have worse physical and mental health compared with non-Autistic peers. To date, the reproductive health experiences of Autistic AFAB people have been under-investigated.Methods and analysis This study aims to co-develop a quality improvement intervention to improve the reproductive health of Autistic people. The study uses Community Partnered Participatory Research (an approach similar to Community-Based Participatory Research), largely through a Community Council that co-governs the study. …

The Lived Experiences Of Poverty Among Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups In A Rights-Based Anti-Poverty Programme In Jharkhand India, Monimala Sengupta

Lingnan Theses (MPhil & PhD)

This research explores poverty and social exclusion among Primitive Tribal Groups (PVTGs) in India using T. H. Marshall's concept of social citizenship. With evidence showing a disproportionate burden of poverty in the Global South, indigenous groups are even overrepresented among the poor. India, home to one of the largest Indigenous populations, accounts for 70% of South Asia's impoverished, but the specific nature of poverty within these communities remain poorly understood.

Over the past two decades, India's national response to poverty has shifted towards rights-based, inclusive policies targeting marginalised communities such as Dalits, Scheduled Castes, and Scheduled Tribes, historically subjected to …

Avian Adaptation To Thermal Gradients, Justin Wheeler Baldwin

Arts & Sciences Graduate Student Theses and Dissertations

Life on Earth has adapted to extremely different temperatures worldwide. However, across distant branches of the tree of life, animals in similar temperature environments often share similar phenotypic traits. Specifically, traits that bear on the ratio between an individual’s surface area (e.g. appendage length) and its volume (e.g. body size) are particularly important for temperature regulation and are codified in canonical biogeographical rules. Although these global patterns of finding larger-bodied (Bergmann’s Rule) and shorter-limbed (Allen’s Rule) animals in colder regions are widely upheld, they also show substantial variation. It remains poorly understood why some animals conform to these biogeographical rules …

Pmp2+ Scs Maintain The Survival And Functioning Of Large-Caliber Motor Axons, Mikolaj Kozlowski

Arts & Sciences Graduate Student Theses and Dissertations

Neurodegenerative diseases are characterized by selective neuronal vulnerability, a phenomenon in which a specific pathology induces the death of a particular subpopulation of neurons. For example, selective neuronal vulnerability in the peripheral nervous system results in sensory, motor, or mixed peripheral neuropathies. While the intrinsic differences between neuronal subtypes cannot fully explain the basis of selective neuronal vulnerability, it is plausible that it partially stems from neuron extrinsic mechanisms such as the malfunction of distinct Schwann cell (SC) subtypes. Recently, we identified an exciting subpopulation of myelinating SCs characterized by the expression of Adamtsl1, Cldn14, and Pmp2 (hereafter referred to …

Understanding Sequence Determinants Of Functional Protein Dynamics Using Biophysical Simulations And Experiments, Upasana Lakshmi Mallimadugula

Arts & Sciences Graduate Student Theses and Dissertations

Mutations in the sequence of proteins associated with a disease often increase its risk or severity. They can also be a barrier to developing effective therapeutics for such diseases. One way in which mutations affect function is by altering dynamics that elude structural studies. Observing these changes requires methods that can report on movements of the protein on various timescales and is an ongoing challenge in biophysics and biochemistry. In this study I will use both experimental and computational techniques that can report on such dynamics to explore how small sequence changes shift the conformational landscape and consequently the function …

Sustainable Plastics From Plastic Metabolisms: Leveraging Purple Non-Sulfur Bacteria For Polyhydroxyalkanoate Synthesis, Eric Michael Conners

Arts & Sciences Graduate Student Theses and Dissertations

Purple non-sulfur bacteria (PNSB) are a taxonomically diverse group of gram-negative bacteria representing some of Earth’s most metabolically versatile life, with many genera capable of switching between the four major metabolic modes – chemoheterotrophy, chemoautotrophy, photoheterotrophy, and photoautotrophy. Today, we exploit this diversity to explore fundamental questions about microbial metabolism. At the same time, many researchers are eager to use PNSB as tools for biotechnological innovations. Yet there exists a gap between fundamental biology and applied science. Part of the challenge is that we rely on a handful of model organisms – namely, members of the genera Rhodopseudomonas and Rhodobacter …

Multimodal Assessment Battery And Heart Rate Variability Enhance Clinical Utility Of Buffalo Concussion Treadmill Test, Daniel Miner, Michael Shiraishi, Pamela Gibbons, Rahul Soangra, Brent Harper

Physical Therapy Faculty Articles and Research

Context: The Buffalo Concussion Treadmill Test (BCTT) for exercise intolerance following concussion may highlight underlying autonomic dysfunction. Autonomic function at rest and with exertion may be predictive of neurocognitive performance for individuals with sports-related concussion. The purpose of this study is to explore the feasibility and utility of combining multimodal assessments with heart rate variability (HRV) measures during the BCTT for individuals with a remote history of concussion. Design: Prospective cohort study design, pretest/posttest. Methods: Participants included 5 males and 5 females (N = 10, age: 25.2 [3.3] y old, height: 173.2 [11.2] cm, mass: 73.4 [13.7] …

Teaching Dena'ina Language Through Dena'ina Culturally Based Reading Practices, Joel Isaak Yes

Indigenous Studies

The Dena'ina language is a well-documented Northern Dene Alaska Native language in south-central Alaska. The Dena'ina language is on the brink of going to sleep. The Dena'ina community strongly desires for the Dena'ina language to once again thrive in the community. Language-use within the community is a contributing factor to the health of the community. As Dena'ina tribes work towards bringing back the Dena'ina language, the community grapples with the role of reading and writing, both potentially harmful and aiding community language work. A Classroom-Based Action Research qualitative study was conducted to determine if reading instruction in the Dena'ina language …

The Imposition Of Power: Modernity And Nature In Hemingway And Mccarthy, Danielle Ball

Honors College Theses

This thesis focuses on the role of nature in opposition to modernity in Ernest Hemingway's “The Last Good Country” and “The End of Something” as well as Cormac McCarthy’s The Orchard Keeper. Each author places the forces of modernity, such as the logging industry or the introduction of the railroad, at odds with the untouched state of the natural world. Specifically, I emphasize the different portrayals of the natural world from each author. Hemingway’s nature is very closely tied to Romanticism, as nature is a spiritual and healing force for those who choose to commune with it. However, McCarthy portrays …

Influence Of Demographics, Health, And Self-Objectification On Body Acceptance And Body Appreciation In Older Adults, Heather Russell

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Prior research has examined the demographic, health, and activity factors influencing how young people, particularly young women, see themselves concerning body appreciation and acceptance. However, body appreciation and acceptance as perceived by older men and women have not been well-studied. The purpose of the study was to examine the extent to which gender, age, quality of life assessment of physical and mental health, physical activity, and self-objectification influence body acceptance by others and body appreciation in adults ages 55-75. Self-objectification theory (SOT) was the framework used to examine the influence of two aspects of self-objectification (lack of autonomy and invisibility) …

Staff Education To Improve Depression Management Using Mindfulness Meditation Intervention, Ndubuisi Chimezie Obioha

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Executive Summary: Staff Education Project Staff Education to Improve Depression Management Using Mindfulness Meditation Intervention by Ndubuisi Obioha MSN, Walden University, 2021 BSN, Grand Canyon University, 2017 Executive Summary Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Nursing Practice Walden University November 2024 Summary The problem of poor depression management guided this quality improvement staff educational project due to treatment nonadherence issues. The providers at the project site had minimal knowledge of self-help interventions that can be used to assist individuals with depression who often face treatment barriers. Failing to address the problem could result …

Strategies Business Owners Use To Comply With Federal State And Local Taxes, Olohigbe O. Abaya

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Tax regulations are constantly changing, increasing complexity for business owners to meet federal, state, and local obligations. Non-compliance can lead to severe consequences, including fines, legal action, and damage to a company’s reputation. Grounded in the planned behavior theory, the purpose of this qualitative pragmatic inquiry was to identify and explore practical steps small business owners take to comply with federal, state, and local tax requirements. Participants were seven business leaders in the United States. Data were collected through semistructured interviews, as well as a review of public websites and documents. Through thematic analysis, three themes were identified: professional assistance, …

Attachment-Based Intervention For Inattention, Hyperactivity, And Impulsivity: Does Relationship Matter?, Stephanie M. Ess

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

While the prevailing notion attributes attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) largely to a genetic response, there is increasing evidence of its multifactorial nature, involving both genetic and environmental factors, including the parent–child attachment relationship. Given the limitations of pharmacological and behavioral treatment methods, this study addressed the critical need for alternative ADHD interventions. The purpose of this study was to examine the differences in inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity among toddlers approximately 48 months old in an attachment-based intervention group (n = 63), a control intervention group (n = 58), and a low-risk group not requiring intervention (n = 52). Grounded …

Effective Transformational Leadership Strategies For Catalyzing Employee Morale For Innovation Within Fashion Boutiques, Jasmine Shanise Glover

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Business owners risk failure when they lack effective strategies for innovation and employee morale. In the fashion industry, many leaders have been forced to close their brick-and-mortar stores due to inadequate innovation and leadership strategies, which hindered their ability to adapt and thrive. The purpose of this qualitative pragmatic inquiry study was to explore and identify the strategies that fashion industry leaders use to improve employee morale, foster innovation, and drive business success. The participants consisted of seven fashion boutique leaders from the United States, each of whom managed either an active online boutique or a brick-and-mortar store. Data were …

Corporate Social Responsibility Strategies For Retaining Skilled Talent To Enhance Competitive Advantage, Linwood Corneilus Cottner Jr.

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Aviation business leaders often lack effective corporate social responsibility (CSR) strategies to retain highly skilled employees, a crucial factor in gaining a competitive advantage. To maintain this advantage, aviation leaders must consistently recognize employee retention as a critical challenge and a key element in sustaining long-term success. Grounded in Herzberg’s two-factor theory, the purpose of this qualitative multiple-case study was to explore the corporate social responsibility strategies aviation business leaders use to retain highly skilled employees to enhance their competitive advantage. The participants were three aviation business leaders from the Midwest United States who successfully implemented corporate social responsibility strategies …

Organizational Leadership Strategies For Growing Membership In A Start-Up Online Business, Pascale Rheault

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Leaders of small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) play a critical role in driving the global economy; however, online start-ups often face high failure rates within their first year. Some start-up leaders fail to implement effective promotional strategies, hindering their ability to succeed in a competitive market. Grounded in the Baldrige performance excellence framework, the purpose of this qualitative single case study was to explore effective strategies business leaders use to grow membership in an online start-up business. The participants were two senior leaders in the Toronto region’s start-up sector. Data were collected using semistructured interviews as well as a review …

Staff Education Project Strategies For Reducing No-Shows, Ekop Graham

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The staff education project addressed a gap in managing patient no-shows at a psychiatric clinic, where approximately 25% of scheduled appointments were missed. This issue severely impacted patient care continuity, delayed necessary treatments, and increased healthcare costs. The clinic’s practices of using reminder calls and emails had been insufficient in reducing no-shows. A literature review highlighted several effective interventions in imprvoing patient adherence and reducing missed appointments, such as facilitated appointment scheduling, personalized communication, and patient-centered strategies. The project aimed to enhance the nursing staff’s knowledge in addressing patient no-shows by educating them on causes, including logistical barriers and psychological …

Assessment Of Food Allergy Management And Interactions With Campus Dining Halls Among College Students At Rochester Institute Of Technology, Meghan Taylor

Theses

Objective: This study explored college student dining experiences to identify areas for improving Dining Service allergen management. Method: A cross-sectional survey assessed specific allergies, frequency of allergic reactions, confidence and satisfaction with Dining Services, epinephrine auto-injector use, challenges, suggestions and use of dietitian services. Analyses included quantitative and qualitative methods. Results: Of 74 survey respondents, 28 were eligible, with 61% reporting two or more allergies (mean 2.4 ± 2.0). Tree nuts, peanuts, and milk were most common. Students with multiple allergies were more likely to carry epinephrine auto-injectors (p=0.015), though overall adherence was low. Concerns included cross-contact, inconsistent allergen labeling, …

Undeserving And Underserved: Violence Victims And Society, Venita Monet C. D'Angelo

Theses

This capstone includes three papers that explore how structural disadvantage, place-based dynamics, and institutional responses shape the experiences of individuals and communities. The first paper focuses on the relationship between concentrated disadvantage, micro-places, and individual outcomes. It shows how crime is not randomly distributed but clusters in specific locations within disadvantaged neighborhoods. Drawing on theories of social disorganization and cumulative disadvantage, the paper explains how neighborhood and micro-place conditions intersect to shape long-term risks and outcomes for residents. The second paper analyzes a community-based intervention designed to reduce recidivism and revictimization. The evaluation considers the program’s design, goals, and limitations, …

Mental Health Care Disparities Among Us Pregnant Individuals In 2020–2021: A Cross-Sectional Study, Julisa Tindall, Monique J. Brown Ph.D., Mph, Peiyin Hung

Faculty Publications

Purpose

To examine maternal characteristics associated with perceived unmet mental health needs and mental health care settings, focusing on residential rurality and race/ethnicity.

Methods

This cross-sectional study analyzed self-reported unmet mental health needs and mental health care settings among 1097 pregnant respondents in the 2020–2021 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, incorporating the complex sampling weights for national representativeness.

Findings

Non-Hispanic Black pregnant individuals and those living in nonmetro rural areas reported lower odds of unmet mental health needs compared to those in large metro areas and non-Hispanic White individuals. Pregnant individuals in nonmetro rural areas and non-Hispanic other …

Nasopharyngeal Amelanotic Melanoma In Cat; A Case Report, Chutirat Torsahakul, Sujittra Thaipradist

The Thai Journal of Veterinary Medicine

A 10-year-old sterilized female DSH cat was referred to the Small Animal Teaching Hospital (SATH), Faculty of Veterinary Science, Chulalongkorn University for diagnosis and treatment. She was quiet, alert, and responsive (QAR) and had a normal appetite. The clinical sign of upper respiratory distress with stridor had been presented for more than three months. Computed tomography (CT) and radiography examination were used for diagnosis, and the results showed a soft tissue mass in the nasopharyngeal region. The morphology and position of the nasopharyngeal mass were demonstrated by retrograde rhinoscopy, which was underwent a biopsy simultaneously. Histopathological examination indicated an amelanotic …

Exploring The Major Watershed Basins All Around The World: A Meta-Analysis For Basins Characteristics, Saad Mohammad Qurishi

AUIQ Technical Engineering Science

Analysis of major watershed basins in a global vision provides a crucial information on sustainable management of water resource throughout the Earth. In this review, a globally significant watersheds were reviewed including the Murray-Darling Basin (Australia), Yangtze River basin (Asia), Volga River Basin (Europe), Nile River Basin (Africa), Hudson Bay Watershed & Mississippi Basin (Canada/North America), and the Amazon Basin (South America). A detailed overview was performed on emphasizing climate, agriculture, hydrology, groundwater, and ecological aspects of the watershed basins, providing holistic knowledge in terms of their environmental and socio-economic impacts. This review explores the challenges which are encountered by …

Development Of A Hybrid Intelligence Algorithm To Estimate The Derivative Weight Of Dawakin Tofa Clay For Heat Storage, Abubakar D. Maiwada, Abdullahi A. Adamu, Umar D. Maiwada, Sani I. Abba

AUIQ Technical Engineering Science

The accurate prediction of thermogravimetric properties is critical for evaluating the suitability of natural materials like Dawakin Tofa clay for heat storage applications, but traditional linear models often fail to capture the complex, non-linear relationships inherent in such datasets. This study develops a hybrid intelligence framework integrating Bilateral Neural Network (BNN), Kernel Support Vector Machine (KSVM), Step-Wise Linear Regression (SWLR), and Robust Linear Regression (RLR) to predict the derivative weight of Dawakin Tofa clay based on 5,030 experimentally obtained instances. Comprehensive data preprocessing, including normalization, feature selection, and dataset splitting (80% training and 20% testing), ensured high-quality inputs for the …

Design And Implementation Of A 3d Laser Printer For Scientific Purposes, Zainab Hameed Neamah

AUIQ Technical Engineering Science

In recent years, the demand for efficient and cost-effective 3D printing technology has surged, opening up a plethora of potential applications across various industries. One promising solution is the design and implementation of a 3D printer utilizing PLA (Polylactic Acid) filament, an eco-friendly and biodegradable material. This approach not only promotes sustainability but also offers a reliable printing system for creating accurate 3D models. By harnessing the power of this innovative technology, users can effectively capture complex geometries and intricate details, ultimately revolutionizing the way we perceive and interact with the physical world around us. In this work, the design …

Thermal Imaging Based Solutions For Implementing Platform Management In Networking/Server Equipment, Hari Pillai, Phong Ho, Stephen A Scearce, Lauren A Marino

Defensive Publications Series

Existing systems for internal monitoring of networking/server equipment are not scaling to meet the needs of the next generation of electronic system issues. Current solutions for internal monitoring only provide a limited amount of information that leaves gaps in the understanding of the condition and integrity of the networking products. To overcome these issues, proposed herein are techniques that leverage real time infrared (IR) monitoring to quickly detect intrusive events, thermal complications, corrosion, and dust accumulation before damage to the networking products or customers occur.

Quantum Computing For Health And Financial Decision-Making: Empowering Employees To Improve Life And Finance, Ramkumar Bharathan

Defensive Publications Series

Quantum computing offers a paradigm shift in computational power with the potential to revolutionize employee well-being and financial security. This paper explores the application of quantum algorithms, including VQE, QAOA, and QMC, in personalized healthcare, optimized financial planning, and advanced organizational resource allocation. We discuss the computational advantages of these algorithms over classical methods, address challenges of the NISQ era, and propose future research directions for realizing quantum advantage in enhancing employee lives.

“It’S Not Just Finding Them A Job”, (Re) Imagining Meaningful Employment And Economic Inclusion Among Forced Migrants: Narratives From Service Providers, Hanna Haran, Yesenia Alvarez Padilla, Jaclyn Kirsch, Arati Maleku

Online Journal for Workforce Education and Development

Refugees and other forced migrants encounter numerous obstacles in securing employment that match their skills and qualifications. Building upon existing migration literature that explores integration into the United States labor market, this study investigates economic inclusion and the challenges and opportunities newcomers face in obtaining meaningful employment and utilizing their past education and work experience. We collected data through one-on-one interviews with service providers and community leaders (N = 11) engaged in refugee and forced migrant employment support, with over half (54.4%) identifying as migrants themselves. Data was analyzed using grounded theory techniques. The analysis yielded five overarching themes: (1) …

Comprehensive Guide For Cte Teachers: Implementing Functional Behavioral Assessments And Individualized Behavior Support Plans For Students With Intellectual And Developmental Disabilities, Hannah Martinez-Davenport, Debra Heban, Dawn Sandt

Online Journal for Workforce Education and Development

The training and requirements for initial licensure of Career and Technical Education (CTE) teachers exhibit considerable variation across states, potentially resulting in a limited familiarity with high-impact special education practices among CTE educators. Two critical practices within this domain are the conduct of Functional Behavior Assessments (FBAs) and the design of Individualized Behavior Support Plans (IBSPs). The FBA process entails a thorough, team-based approach to data collection and analysis aimed at identifying the underlying causes of behaviors that impede a student with a disability from achieving academic, social, emotional, and vocational objectives. Based on the insights derived from the FBA, …