Digital Commons Network^™

Pre-K Teachers’ Perceptions About Professional Learning: Influence On Instructional Methods, Classroom Management Skills, And Student Outcomes, Victoria Abakah Korsah

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this qualitative descriptive phenomenological study was to solicit pre-K teachers’ perceptions about professional development and its influences on instructional methodology, classroom management skills, and student outcomes. Interviews conducted with 11 teachers from childcare centers in a major urban city of Illinois provided insight into experiences of types of PL and development engagement, such as online courses, webinars, learning communities, coaching, mentoring, professional conferences, and content selection. Other experiences involved social-emotional learning, lesson planning, project-based learning, and how to teach children with special needs. The interview data collected from the participants yielded five themes using Colizzi’s data analysis …

School Leaders’ Perceptions Of Restorative Practices On Student Behavior, Jennifer Mary Herold Fontenot

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

United States public schools turned to a zero-tolerance approach to school discipline with hopes of improving school safety and climate in the 1990s. Administrators dispensed consequences such as suspension and expulsion without considering the whole student, regardless of the student’s conditions, motivations, or background. Many schools today focus on punitive measures rather than a holistic approach that considers the root causes of behavior, such as socioeconomic factors, mental health issues, or the student’s home life. Such actions can lead to disproportionately harsh punishments for marginalized students, particularly those from low-income backgrounds or communities of color, exacerbating existing inequalities. Thus, the …

Nursing Education For Type 2 Diabetes And Nutrition Using Individual 1:1 Sessions In Rural Health Care, Meagan F. Wheat

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

What if proper nutrition were a nonpharmacological treatment for health problems? Nutrition is an important key to overall wellness. When patients receive the right education, they not only get the proper nutrition in their diet but also can manage their diabetes and live a better quality of life. In rural U.S. health areas, lack of access to nutrition is a barrier to patient care. Rural areas are at an even higher risk due to a lack of resources for good nutrition. One-to-one nutrition education with a nurse specialized in diabetes helps teach patients at a learning level they will comprehend. …

Impostor Phenomenon, Psychological Safety, And The Intent To Leave Of Novice Pa Faculty, Barbara J. Quillin

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The growing healthcare demands of the aging population in the United States, along with the growth of physician assistant (PA) educational programs, has created a pressing need for qualified PA educators. This study examined the role of impostor phenomenon and psychological safety in shaping PA faculty members’ intent to leave. Grounded in the job demands-resources framework, the research explored how individual psychological experiences and perceptions of the organizational climate relate to faculty turnover intentions in PA education. This study aimed to provide PA program administrators with information that may reduce faculty attrition and improve the overall well-being of novice faculty. …

Differences In Peer Social Connections Between Traditional And Online Nurse Residency Programs, Tatum Leonard

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The anticipated retirement of baby boomer nurses by 2030 will intensify the global nursing shortage, a crisis that demands innovative strategies for onboarding and retaining new graduate nurses. Nurse residency programs (NRPs) are designed to ease the transition from student to practicing nurse, reduce turnover, and foster professional resilience. Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, many NRPs rapidly transitioned from traditional, in-person seminars to synchronous, online formats. This study explored differences in peer social connections between traditional and online NRPs, focusing on three constructs: sense of community, collaborative learning, and peer social support. Using a quasi-experimental, mixed methods approach, this secondary data …

Underrepresentation Of African American Women Superintendents In The Public Schools Of Texas: Descriptions Of Their Lived Experiences, Shani R. Wyllie

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The problem addressed through this study was the underrepresentation of African American women superintendents in the public-school districts of Texas, despite women making up a majority of the public-school workforce. The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to describe the lived experiences of African American women superintendents regarding the support and barriers they encountered as they navigated their journeys to the position of public school district superintendent in Texas. The study was grounded in the Black feminist thought framework. Five semistructured interviews were conducted with currently serving African American women superintendents in Texas. The participants had been in the …

High-Fidelity Finite Element Modeling Technique To Improve Sensitivity To Bone Tissue Changes Of Older Adults With Obesity Undergoing Intensive Lifestyle Intervention, Michael A K Liebschner, Daeseung Kim, Nina Klonis, Giulia Gregori, Reina Armamento-Villareal, Clifford Qualls, Dennis T Villareal

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Introduction: Obesity presents a significant health risk for the aging population. Research shows that weight loss and regular exercise can greatly improve the functional status of older adults who are obese. However, weight loss may also result in a decrease in bone mass. To properly assess changes in fracture risk due to lifestyle interventions, a direct biomechanical evaluation of bone strength and fracture risk at metabolically active sites is essential.

Methods: Computed tomography scans taken at two different time points of ten human volunteers provided the foundation for this study. A high-fidelity segmentation and modeling approach was taken to generate …

Silent Damage, Early Signals: A Narrative Review Of The Evolving Role Of Cardiac Biomarkers In Oncology-Driven Cardiotoxicity, Aura Calderon, Luis Salcedo, Jose Loayza, Catherine Matos, Ivan Mogollon, Francisco Arias, Everardo Cobos

School of Medicine Publications

Advancements in cancer therapy have led to improved patient survival but have also introduced an increasing risk of cardiotoxicity, particularly with agents such as anthracyclines, trastuzumab, and various targeted treatments. Cardiotoxic effects may present as myocardial injury, systolic or diastolic dysfunction, or heart failure (HF), often developing insidiously before clinical symptoms become evident. Early detection is therefore crucial to preserve cardiovascular health in oncology patients. This narrative review examines the expanding role of cardiac biomarkers; including high-sensitivity troponins, natriuretic peptides, Galectin-3, soluble ST2, and novel molecular markers like microRNAs, in identifying and monitoring chemotherapy-induced cardiac injury. It also highlights how …

Society Of Vascular And Interventional Neurology (Svin) Stroke Interventional Laboratory Consensus (Silc) Criteria For Training Standards And Maintenance Of Certification In Neurointervention, Ossama Y. Mansour, Kaiz S. Asif, Roberta Novakovic-White, Boris Pabon, Santiago Ortega-Gutierrez, Atilla Ozcan Ozdemar, Alicia Castonguay, Brijesh Mehta, Dileep R. Yavagal, Ameer E. Hassan

School of Medicine Publications

The global shortage of neurointerventionalists presents a challenge to timely stroke care, particularly in low‐ and middle‐income countries. The Society of Vascular and Interventional Neurology Stroke Interventional Laboratory Consensus criteria aim to standardize training and certification in neurointervention to address these disparities. This white paper reviews existing training standards in various regions, identifies gaps, and proposes a structured framework encompassing entry requirements, program structure, and certification processes. The Stroke Interventional Laboratory Consensus criteria further outline requirements for training centers and program directors. By establishing global standards, the Stroke Interventional Laboratory Consensus criteria seek to improve patient outcomes and expand access …

Mindfulness And Student Achievement In Urban Middle After-School Programs, La Shell Bonds

Tennessee State University Alumni Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation explores the influence of mindfulness-based interventions on academic achievement, disciplinary outcomes, and social-emotional learning (SEL) competencies among urban middle school students participating in after-school programs. Grounded in Vygotsky’s sociocultural theory, self-regulatory frameworks, and Dweck’s growth mindset, the study employs a quasi-experimental design with 36 participants randomly assigned to either a mindfulness intervention group or a control group that receives the standard SEL curriculum. Over two weeks, the experimental group engaged in structured mindfulness activities—including breath awareness, body scans, and peer-led circles,—while quantitative data were collected on standardized test scores (Math and English Language Arts), suspension rates, and SEL …

Exploring The Cooling Effects Of Urban Forests In Summer, Xiaoyue Li

Tennessee State University Alumni Theses and Dissertations

As a nature-based solution to combat urban heat islands, urban forests can provide cooling and other co-benefits. However, little is known about the cooling benefits of urban forests in parking lots and under different land covers, especially with field observations. To address this gap, we measured air temperature (AT) and relative humidity (RH) and calculated heat index (HI) in three urban settings in Nashville, TN, in summer 2024. The research sites included: 1) Two different parking lots: parking lots with and without trees; 2) Three different distances from trees within the parking lot with trees: under trees, near trees, and …

Dynamics And Controls Of Greenhouse Gas Emissions In Bioenergy Croplands, Lovish Kasrija

Tennessee State University Alumni Theses and Dissertations

Agriculture contributes considerably to global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, requiring sustainable methods for tackling climate change. This thesis includes two mega-analyses and one field experiment to investigate the impact of conservation tillage and soil amendments on crop productivity and greenhouse gas emissions. The first mega-analysis combined data from 30 meta-analyses to assess the impact of no-tillage (NT), reduced-tillage (RT), and combination NT+RT on crop yields and soil GHG emissions. NT decreased yields by 3.3% and increased N₂O emissions by 8.7%, but RT and NT+RT had no effect. The second mega-analysis found that both NT and RT considerably increased soil organic …

Effects Of Soil Profile Rebuilding Techniques On Soil Properties And Tree Growth, Diksha Tamang

Tennessee State University Alumni Theses and Dissertations

Urban land development usually results in compacted soils, creating unfavorable conditions for tree establishment and growth. Soil Profile Rebuilding (SPR) is an urban soil rehabilitation technique to address soil compaction on site. However, the impacts of SPR on urban soils and tree growth in the southeast region remain unexplored. To address this research gap, this study assessed the efficacy of the SPR techniques in improving degraded urban soils including soil physical, chemical, and biological properties, and tree growth. Twelve experimental plots (12.2 m L*0.5 m W; 5.6 m2) were established using a completely randomized experimental design (4 soil treatments; 3 …

Regioselective C-Allylation Of Indole With Potassium Allyltrifluoroborate In The Presence Of Pd-Catalyst, Milton Kumar Kundu

Tennessee State University Alumni Theses and Dissertations

Indole is a versatile heterocyclic scaffold renowned for its wide range of pharmacological activities and strong potential as a successful drug candidate. These attributes continue to inspire researchers to explore indole derivatives as promising leads in drug development. In this project, we report the development of a cross-coupling reaction of indoles and potassium allyltrifluoroborate to the corresponding 3-allylindoles in the presence of PdCl2(dtbpf) and PdCl2(dppf)CH2Cl2 catalyst under microwave heating, offering a rapid, regioselective, and high-yielding synthetic route. This methodology provides a valuable platform for generating structurally diverse indole-based compounds, which could serve as promising leads for further pharmacological evaluation and …

Effects Of Tillage On Wheat Canopy, Stephanie Adanna Anyanwu

Tennessee State University Alumni Theses and Dissertations

Abstract Wheat canopy cover and greenness are useful crop performance indicators that provide significant insight into the performance of wheat crops. Understanding the effects of no-till and conventional tillage practices on winter wheat canopy cover and greenness will help inform agronomic decision making in wheat production. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess the effects of no-till and conventional tillage practices on wheat canopy cover and greenness using drones. Wheat canopy cover mapping was carried out using deep learning supervised classification. The normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), green normalized difference vegetation index (GNDVI) and optimized soil adjusted vegetation …

Identification And Characterization Of Peptide Responsive Histone Modification Genes During Root Nodule Symbiosis In Medicago Truncatula, Shivani Dharam

Tennessee State University Alumni Theses and Dissertations

Nitrogen (N) is an essential but limiting macronutrient for crop growth in agroecosystems. Biological Nitrogen Fixation (BNF) is a critical biological process where atmospheric Nitrogen is converted into ammonia by Nitrogen fixing the bacteria called rhizobia, forming mutualistic relationships with legume plants. These interactions are mediated by several signaling pathways and may involve epigenetic modifications like DNA methylations, histone modifications, where gene expression is altered without any change in DNA sequence. Histones are proteins provide structural support to DNA. However, genes encoding enzymes for these post translational modifications are poorly investigated in the Leguminosae family. This project aims to answer …

Influence Of Parental Approval And Disapproval On Interracial Relationship Outcomes, Stefanie Boakye

Tennessee State University Alumni Theses and Dissertations

Interracial couples may encounter unique challenges in their relationships due to negative perceptions such as racial prejudice, discrimination, disapproval, cultural stereotypes, and opposition from society and family. These challenges can be especially difficult when the disapproval comes from their parents. This study explored how perceived parental approval influences interracial romantic relationship outcomes, specifically relationship satisfaction, commitment, and closeness. Data were collected from individuals in interracial relationships (N ≈ 80) using the Relationship Assessment Scale (RAS), the Investment Model Scale (IMS), the Relationship Closeness Inventory (RCI), and the Parent-Adult Child Relationship Questionnaire (PACQ). A multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) was conducted …

Heat Stress On Germinating Tomato Pollen And The Molecular Mechanisms For Heat Response Using Single Cell Type Proteomics, Dibya Thapa Magar

Tennessee State University Alumni Theses and Dissertations

The primary objective of this study is to develop the technical workflow for collecting homogenous germinating pollen samples. Two tomato varieties, Black Vernissage (BV) and Micro Tom (MT), were grown in temperature-controlled plastic greenhouses. For the non-heated control conditions, greenhouse temperature was set at 25C/21oC (16/8 hours; day/night). For the heat-treated greenhouse, temperature was set at 32/25 oC (16/8 hours; day/night). Supplemental light was provided using plant growth LED light. Ten freshly opened flowers were collected and pollen were released into 2ml pollen germination medium (PGM) in 5-ml centrifuge tubes. After centrifugation, pollen pellets were washed three times in 2 …

Distribution And Occurrence Of Cyanohabs, Nutrients, And Water-Quality Data In The Tennessee State University Wetland, Kristi Hill

Tennessee State University Alumni Theses and Dissertations

Toxic algal blooms are an expanding issue for aquatic ecosystems because they are hazardous to human and environmental health. Algal blooms naturally occur from the combination of warm temperatures, sunlight, and abundant nutrients in water, but what triggers them to become harmful algal blooms (HABs) and begin synthesizing toxin is not well understood, and their threat to freshwater sources was not heavily researched until recently. Microcystin (MC), a freshwater algal toxin, is a HABs toxin which targets the liver and causes sickness and death in humans and animals (pets, livestock, and wildlife). Urban freshwater wetlands are among the most HAB …

Evaluating Early Successional Habitat Selection By Herpetofauna And Pygmy Rattlesnakes In Tennessee, Carlin Frost

Tennessee State University Alumni Theses and Dissertations

Coupled with climate change, global biodiversity declines are exacerbated by increasing anthropogenic pressures and ecosystem destruction. Amphibians and reptiles are particularly vulnerable due to their specific and narrow habitat requirements. In Tennessee, the Western Pygmy Rattlesnake (Sistrurus miliarius streckeri) is classified as Threatened and is primarily associated with floodplains adjacent to early successional habitats (ESH) in the western Interior Plateau ecoregion. These ESH support unique flora and fauna but have declined in recent decades, largely due to urban encroachment and disturbance suppression. Studying snakes is challenging because of their limited activity periods, small home ranges, and low detectability from cryptic …

Exploring Boundaries With Food, Substances, And People In Substance Use Recovery: A Qualitative Analysis, Tiffany Champagne-Langabeer, Audrey Sarah Cohen, Kriti Shrestha, Jie Zhu, Audrey Lopez, Alisha Campbell, Christine Bakos-Block

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Background: In the United States, over 47 million youth and adults live with a substance use disorder (SUD). These individuals are frequently malnourished and have metabolic dysregulation as a result. Nutrition interventions incorporating a mindfulness-based approach help recovery efforts that are physical and mental.

Objective: The objective of this study was to explore and analyze the perspectives and experiences of individuals with SUD regarding emotional regulation and nutrition. The study used a mixed methods approach to generate insights for improving recovery support and developing future interventions.

Design: In 2024, an exploratory mixed methods study was conducted based on a large …

Moderate Coffee And Tea Consumption Is Associated With Slower Cognitive Decline, Stephanie R. Rainey-Smith, Kelsey R. Sewell, Belinda M. Brown, Hamid R. Sohrabi, Ralph N. Martins, Samantha L. Gardener

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Background: Globally, coffee and tea are consumed extensively, potentially providing neuroprotection through anti-inflammatory and antioxidative stress effects. Objective: This study aimed to investigate associations between coffee and tea intake and cognitive function. Methods: In a longitudinal prospective cohort study, dementia-free (n = 8715; age range 60.0–85.2 years) older adults from the UK Biobank self-reported coffee and tea intake over the previous year; ‘never’, ‘moderate’ (1–3 cups/day), or ‘high’ (≥4 cups/day). Participants completed cognitive assessments at ≥2 timepoints (mean of 9.11 years). Results: Those ‘never’ consuming coffee and ‘moderate’ coffee consumers (β = 0.06, p = 0.005; β = 0.07, p <  0.001, respectively), as well as ‘moderate’ tea consumers and ‘high’ tea consumers (β = 0.06, p = 0.009; β = 0.06, p = 0.003, respectively) had slower fluid intelligence decline. Additionally, those ‘never’ consuming coffee and ‘moderate’ coffee consumers had a slower increase in pairs matching errors (β = −0.05, p = 0.022; β = 0.05, p = 0.013) compared to ‘high’ consumers. Conclusions: ‘Moderate’ coffee, and ‘moderate’ and ‘high’ tea intake may be a protective factor against cognitive decline. Randomized controlled trials are required to establish causal relationships leading to evidence-based recommendations regarding benefits of coffee and tea intake.

Prevalence Of Oral Mucosal Lesions Among Geriatric Dental Patients In Egypt: A Cross-Sectional Study, Dalia Ghalwash, Ahmed Hamdy, Sara Abd El-Wahed

Dentistry

Background. The oral health needs of older adults must be prioritized due to the shifting demographics of the population and rising life expectancy. This study investigated the prevalence of oral mucosal lesions (OMLs) among geriatric dental patients in a sample of the Egyptian population and explored the association with age, gender, smoking habit, as well as the impact on the quality of life. Methods. This cross-sectional study screened 300 geriatric dental patients aged 65 years or older, from several dental hospitals and mobile clinics in various regions in Egypt. Demographic data and information regarding denture use, systemic diseases, and smoking …

Lipid And Cholesterol Peroxidation Leads To Α-Crystallin Membrane Aggregation And Cataract Formation, Nawal K. Khadka, Preston Hazen, Oluwaseyi Akinola, Xinzhu Pu, Laxman Mainali

Boise State University Publications and Presentations

Purpose: The significant lens chaperone protein α-crystallin (αABc), comprised of αA-crystallin (αAc) and αB-crystallin (αBc) subunits, is found to form membrane-bound aggregates with age and cataract formation. However, the molecular basis for such aggregate formation is still unclear. Our research primarily aims to elucidate the effect of lipids (phospholipids and sphingolipids) and cholesterol (Chol) peroxidation on the aggregation of αAc, αBc, and αABc to bovine lens nuclear membrane (NM).

Methods: Lipid and Chol peroxidation was induced by a photosensitized peroxidation reaction, and topographical images of NM and oxidized-NM (Ox-NM) with and without αAc, αBc, or αABc were obtained using atomic …

Some Remarks On Invertible Refined Neutrosophic Square Matrices, Ahmad A. Abubaker, Abdallah Shihadeh, Mayada Abualhomos, Khaled Matarneh, Mutaz Mutaz Shatnawi, Ahmed Atallah Alsaraireh, P. Prabakaran, Abdallah Al-Husban

Neutrosophic Sets and Systems

No abstract provided.

A Novel Neutrosophic Multi-Layered Complex Refined Hyperstructure: Theoretical Advancement With Illustrative Examples From Employee Mental Health Education Effectiveness In Enterprises, Min Zhang, Yaozu Wang, Rui Huang, Qiao Wu, Bingqing Bingqing Li

Neutrosophic Sets and Systems

No abstract provided.

Enhancing Decision-Making In Piezoelectric Energy Harvesting Systems Through Neutrosophic Logic, A. A. Salam, Mohamed A. Mohamed, Hanan M. Amer, Musallam Jeailan Hzam Alzubi, Huda E. Khalid, Ahmed K. Essa

Neutrosophic Sets and Systems

No abstract provided.

A Multi-Criteria Decision-Making Framework For Evaluating Emerging Digital Technologies In Supply Chain Optimization, Nabil M. Abdelaziz, Dina Mohamed, Hasnaa Soliman

Neutrosophic Sets and Systems

No abstract provided.

Neutrosophic Probabilistic And Statistical Extensions Of The Neutromultispace Model For Blended Teaching Process In University Physical Education: A Novel Neutrosophic Modeling Framework, Guoquan Lin, Hongtao Guo, Ying Zheng

Neutrosophic Sets and Systems

No abstract provided.

A Linear Mathematical Model Of The Vocational Training Problem In A Company Using Neutrosophic Logic, Hyperfunctions, And Superhyperfunction, Maissam Jdid, Florentin Smarandache, Takaaki Fujita

Neutrosophic Sets and Systems

No abstract provided.