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Motivational Factors Affecting Female Students' Choice Of Stem And Non-Stem Majors At Us Universities, Buthaina Ruyyashi

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The problem addressed in this study is the persistently low enrollment of female undergraduate students in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) majors within U.S. universities. The purpose of this quantitative study was to examine the relationship between female undergraduate students' choice of STEM versus non-STEM majors and their motivational factors, as measured by the Motivations Influencing Course Choice (MICC) survey. The study was grounded in social cognitive career theory, which emphasizes the role of self-efficacy, outcome expectations, and personal goals in academic decision-making. The analysis assessed the predictive power of career aspiration, interest, helping, and loafing in determining major …

Falls Risk And Prevention: Improving Staff Knowledge, Ashley Vargas Delarosa

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Objective This project aimed to enhance nursing staff knowledge and engagement in evidence-based fall prevention strategies, addressing the practice problem of inconsistent staff education and the absence of a standardized fall prevention protocol, contributing to high patient fall rates in acute care settings. Design The project employed an educational session both in-person and online. A pre- and post-test education design, utilizing knowledge assessments (pre-test and post-test) and qualitative feedback to evaluate the impact of a structured education program on nursing staff knowledge related to fall prevention. The education module focused on risk assessment tools, including the Morse Fall Scale, and …

Prisoner Re-Entry Into Society And Criminal Justice Social Work Practice, Aleeyah S. Norvell

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This study explores the challenges faced by social workers in supporting the successful reintegration of formerly incarcerated individuals. Social workers play a critical role in the U.S. criminal justice system, yet they often encounter systemic barriers that limit their ability to meet clients’ basic needs, such as housing, employment, and healthcare. Using a generic qualitative research design, the study was conducted using semi-structured interviews with a sample of eight licensed social workers, using open-ended questions to gather rich, detailed accounts of their experiences. Guided by social learning theory and using thematic analysis, the findings reveal significant obstacles in adapting to …

The Association Between Unemployment, Income, Education, Healthcare Access, Mental Health And High-Risk Hiv Behavior In The United States, Tia Smith

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

High-risk HIV behavior remains a critical public health concern in the United States, particularly among socioeconomically and psychologically vulnerable populations. Despite extensive prevention efforts, a gap persists in understanding how structural and mental health factors jointly contribute to HIV risk. This study addresses that gap by examining the association between socioeconomic status (SES), including income, education, employment, and healthcare access, and mental health status (diagnosis of depression and days of poor mental health) on high-risk HIV behavior at the individual level. Guided by the social determinants of health (SDOH) theoretical framework, the study utilized secondary data for over 40,000 adults …

Office Of Research, Economic Engagement And Outreach Update, August 6, 2025, Office Of Research, Economic Engagement And Outreach

Office of Research, Economic Engagement and Outreach

No abstract provided.

The Impact Of Culturally Grounded Breastfeeding Programs On Black Maternal And Infant Outcomes: A Scoping Review, Kelsey B. Green

Master's Projects and Capstones

Abstract

Background: The lack of culturally grounded breastfeeding programs and understanding of their impact on Black breastfeeding initiation, duration, and health outcomes hinders improving Black breastfeeding rates in the U.S.

Research aim: This scoping review examines the impact of culturally grounded breastfeeding programs on Black mothers' and infants' health, and factors contributing to their success.

Methods: A scoping review of the literature was conducted using the CINAHL and SCOPUS databases. In the end, 34 scholarly articles were chosen for this review because they examined the impact of culturally grounded breastfeeding programs on Black breastfeeding rates and health outcomes.

Results: Culturally …

Botulinum Toxin For The Treatment Of Motor Tics In Children: A Case Series, Ethan Edmondson, Mariam Hull, Sukru Aras, Mered Parnes

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Tic disorders, including Tourette syndrome, are characterized by brief, repetitive, and patterned movements or vocalizations. Botulinum neurotoxin (BoNT) has emerged as a therapeutic option for motor tics, particularly when oral medications are insufficient or poorly tolerated. This retrospective cohort study evaluated the safety and effectiveness of botulinum neurotoxin injections in 50 pediatric patients (aged 7-18 years) with motor tic disorders treated at a tertiary pediatric movement disorders clinic between May 2019 and January 2024. Botulinum neurotoxin injections were tailored to individual symptomatology. Overall, 64% of patients reported improvement in tic severity, 36% noted no change, and 6% worsened. Response did …

Parent's Help-Seeking For, And Care Of, A Sick Or Injured Child During Covid-19 Pandemic Lockdowns: A National Online Survey In Türkiye, Bahar Aksoy, Sarah Neill

School of Nursing and Midwifery

Aim: This study aimed to investigate how COVID-19 lockdowns in Türkiye influenced parents' actions when their child was ill or injured and how they perceived the impact of the lockdown on the severity of their child's illness and the treatment received. Methods: This descriptive, and cross-sectional mixed method was conducted with 104 parents whose children experienced illness or injury during the pandemic lockdowns between July and September 2022. Data was collected through online survey using snowball sampling method. Descriptive statistics and pearson's chi-square test were used for statistical analysis, while free-text data was subjected to thematic analysis. Results: Of the …

Pcsk9–Dyslipidemia Interplay In Children And Adolescents With Type 1 Diabetes: A Potential Modulator Of Vasculopathy, Eman Ramadan

Pharmacy

BACKGROUND: Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type-9 (PCSK9) has recently emerged as an important vasculopathy modulator. However, limited data exist on its level and expression in children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes (T1D). AIM: To assess serum PCSK9 and gene expression among children and adolescents with T1D and correlate them with glycemia, dyslipidemia, and microvascular complications. METHODS: Fifty children and adolescents with T1D were compared to 50 matched healthy controls. Serum PCSK9 enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) gene expression, glycated-hemoglobin, fundus, urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio (uACR) and fasting lipids were assessed with calculation of the estimated-glucose …

Autopathography And Identity In Head Above Water: Reflections On Illness By Shahd Alshammari, Reham M. Samir

Pharmacy

Disability/illness is an enigma that we experience but whose implications we have not fully fathomed. One's sense of self is impacted by disability/ illness. Autopathographies gave people with disability/ chronic illness a chance to share their life with a disability or a chronic illness, which also reflects on identity. Moreover, identity is influenced by social stigma as well as gender. This paper examines the impact of Multiple Sclerosis (MS) on the life and sense of self of the Kuwaiti writer and scholar, Shahd Alshammari's The paper also analyzes the relation between disability, gender and race drawing attention to the impact …

Effect Of Synthetic Data On The Performance Of Neural Networks For The Acoustic Localization Of Multirotor Uav Targets, Noah David Wargo

Electronic Theses and Dissertations Archive

The application of neural networks has demonstrated significant potential in the field of acoustic source localization. This thesis investigates the deployment of such advanced neural network models for the specific challenge of uncrewed aerial vehicle (UAV) localization. A persistent obstacle in training deep learning models for this purpose, however, is the considerable effort required to collect and curate sufficiently large real-world datasets, which is both time consuming and resource-intensive. To address this limitation, this research incorporates synthetic data augmentation using a synthetic source sound generation script and the pyroadacoustics simulation environment. These synthetic sources, when processed through the pyroadacoustics simulator, …

Plasma Based Synthesis Of Titanium Dioxide Nanoparticles And Their Characterization, Vedant Singh

Electronic Theses and Dissertations Archive

Titanium dioxide has peaked significant interest due to its unique physical and chemical properties, making it highly valuable in a range of applications such as photocatalysis, solar energy conversion and biomedical devices. The use of plasma-based synthesis techniques offers several advantages over conventional methods such as higher purity, precise control over particle size and the ability to tailor phase composition. This study presents the successful design, construction and operational validation of a custom-built Inductively Coupled Plasma reactor (ICPr), tailored for gas phase nanoparticle synthesis, under low pressure conditions. The reactor’s ability to generate stable plasma in both E- and H-modes …

Exploring Mental Health Issues And Health-Seeking Behaviors Among Bangladeshi International Students: A Qualitative Study, Md Monir Hossain

Electronic Theses and Dissertations Archive

This qualitative study explores the mental health experiences and help-seeking behaviors of Bangladeshi international graduate students in the United States. Based on in-depth interviews with sixteen students at the University of Memphis, I examine their mental health challenges, coping strategies, and the impact of cultural stigma. Participants report depression, anxiety, and somatic symptoms linked to academic pressure, financial stress, housing issues, and social isolation. Cultural stigma and institutional barriers discourage formal help-seeking, leading most to rely on self-help and peer support. However, some students avoid even informal support due to fear of judgment, gossip, and exploitation within their community. The …

A Diversity Dilemma: A Qualitative Research Study On The Past And Present Racial And Cultural Demographics Of Formal Music Education Students, Destiny Deberry Stone-King

Masters Theses

This thesis study examined the relationship between the preference for popular music, racial identity, and the decision to participate in school music courses and ensembles, aiming to understand how the interaction of these factors influences the demographics of music students. The researcher analyzed previous research on music preference, the history of music education in the United States, commentary on the music education system, and personal accounts of music educators and former music students. The researcher used a historical qualitative research design and meta-analysis to answer three research questions: 1) How does a musician’s racial identity, musical preference, and musical training …

The Apologetic Implications Of Paul's First Missionary Journey, Mark Garro

Masters Theses

This thesis takes a careful look at Paul’s first missionary speech in Acts 13 and the larger narrative of his first missionary journey in Acts 14, asking two main questions: What is Paul saying in his first recorded sermon, and what can the modern church learn from it, particularly when it comes to apologetics and suffering? Through literary and exegetical analysis, this study examines how Paul’s message fits into the broader narrative of Acts, paying special attention to the historical setting, rhetorical flow, and theological implications of the speech. The research is grounded in a wide range of scholarship and …

Harnessing Emergent Multiple Scattering Resonances In A Photonic Glass Structure For Photoelectrochemical Energy Conversion, Ashlyn G. Descarpentrie, Robert H. Coridan

Chemistry & Biochemistry Faculty Publications and Presentations

Light trapping nanostructures are often necessary to improve carrier collection yields in semiconductor photoelectrodes with intrinsically poor electron transport. Photonic crystal templates can generate tailorable light trapping via periodic and precise nanostructure, though this is not a scalable strategy for photoelectrochemical (PEC) applications. It is therefore critical to identify alternative mechanisms for light trapping that tolerate disorder. Light trapping in disordered media is generated by the diffusive transport caused by multiple scattering. In some cases, multiple scattering can generate resonances that resemble those observed in photonic crystals. While resonant multiple scattering is a disorder tolerant light trapping mechanism, it is …

Dosimetric Evaluation Of Clearsight Bolus Versus Superflab Bolus For Vmat Head And Neck Treatment, Courtney M. Williams

Masters Projects

This study compares the dosimetric performance and fit accuracy of ClearSight and Superflab boluses in head and neck (HN) volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) treatment plans, focusing on dose distribution and air gap volumes. A RANDO anthropomorphic phantom was used to simulate HN VMAT treatment for oral cavity cancer with positive lymph nodes, prescribed 70 Gy in 35 fractions. Four configurations were tested: ClearSight bolus over a thermoplastic mask (CSO), ClearSight under a mask (CSU), Superflab over a mask (SFO), and Superflab under a mask (SFU). Five computed tomography (CT) scans, one without bolus and four with bolus, were performed …

Immunomodulatory Effects Of Gold Nanoparticles: Impacts On Immune Cells And Mechanisms Of Action, Khadijeh Koushki, Prapannajeet Biswal, Geraldine Vidhya Vijay, Mahvash Sadeghi, Sajad Dehnavi, Ngoc Tuyet Tra, Sai Kumar Samala, Mahdieh Yousefi Taba, Arjun Balaji Vasan, Emily Han, Yuri Mackeyev, Sunil Krishnan

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Traditional anti-inflammatory medications-such as corticosteroids, biological agents, and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs-are commonly employed to mitigate inflammation, despite their potential for debilitating side effects. There is a growing need for alternative next-generation therapies for symptomatic, unchecked, and/or detrimental inflammation with more favorable adverse effect profiles. The long history of use of gold salts as anti-inflammatory agents and the more recent exploration of gold nanoparticle (AuNP) formulations for clinical indications suggest that the targeted delivery of nanoparticles to inflammatory sites may be a promising approach worth investigating. Coupled with peptides that specifically target immune cells, AuNPs could potently counteract inflammation. Here, we …

Correctional Officers’ Perceptions Of Personal Safety Equipment Effectiveness, Tiffany Haigler-Sion

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The United States has the largest correctional system and the highest incarceration rate in the world. Within this system, correctional officers (COs) serve as the primary point of contact with inmates. Existing literature suggests that the nature of inmates’ offenses often influences COs’ perceptions. Moreover, safety equipment plays a critical role in maintaining security within prison environments. Understanding COs’ experiences and perceptions regarding their safety equipment is therefore essential. The research problem is that little is known about COs’ lived experiences with and perceptions of the safety equipment they carry to keep safe from inmate severe assault. The purpose of …

The Experiences Of Physical Therapists Trained In Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization For Self-Care, Edward Bezkor

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Physical therapists and physical therapy students are susceptible to overuse and postural-related injuries related to computer work, lifting, and transferring patients. An effective technique for musculoskeletal dysfunction is instrument assisted soft tissue mobilization (IASTM) self-care. The purpose of this phenomenological qualitative study was to better understand the lived experiences of physical therapists and physical therapy students who are trained in IASTM self-care. The theoretical foundation for this study was the health belief model (HBM), which proposes that one’s beliefs strongly influence behavior change. In alignment with HBM, research questions related to the participants’ beliefs regarding the perceived threat of not …

Monte Carlo Stellar Evolution Models And Their Application On Globular Clusters, Jiaqi Ying

Dartmouth College Ph.D Dissertations

Stellar evolution models serve as fundamental tools in astronomy, essential for interpreting the interiors and evolutionary stages of stars, and have wide applications in astronomy, from searching for exoplanets to estimating the age of the universe. This thesis explores the inherent uncertainties arising from the complex physics used in stellar evolution models. By adopting a Monte Carlo approach to vary over 20 key stellar evolution parameters, we quantify their impact on model predictions, highlighting substantial influences on age, luminosity, and temperature. Through a detailed analysis of Milky Way globular clusters (GCs), this work rigorously investigates the uncertainties inherent in stellar …

Exploring The Decision-Making And Implementation Process Of Culturally Responsive Leadership Practices In Predominantly Native American Schools: A Hermeneutic Phenomenological Study, Christine Fitzgerald

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this hermeneutic phenomenological study was to understand the decision-making processes of principals when implementing culturally responsive leadership practices in schools with predominantly Native American populations. Guided by Bronfenbrenner’s ecological systems theory, this study frames the influences on decision-making behaviors through a social systems framework. A decolonizing framework for Indigenous evaluation was employed, recognizing Indigenous ways of knowledge creation and understanding. This qualitative study answers the central research question: What are the decision-making experiences of K-12 principals when implementing culturally responsive leadership practices in schools with high Native American populations? Purposeful criterion sampling was used to select eight …

Use Of Single Bout Exercise On Symptoms Of Burnout In Secondary Teachers, Robert A. Campos

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Increased levels of stress, anxiety, and burnout among educators within the United States educational system have contributed to elevated attrition rates and diminished student outcomes. This study investigates the effects of single-bout exercise sessions on reducing of burnout, specifically emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and lack of personal achievement among secondary public-school teachers. Using the Maslach Burnout Inventory – Educators Survey (MBI-ES), this correlational study used a repeated-measures design in which 36 secondary teachers participated in a control (no exercise), aerobic exercise, and anaerobic exercise sessions. Pre- and post-exercise session scores were analyzed to evaluate the immediate effects on burnout elements. Findings …

Growth Mindset Moving From Poverty To Success: A Phenomenological Study Examining The Lived Experiences Of Adults Raised In Poverty, Hermalinda Brown Bolton

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this hermeneutic phenomenological study was to understand the lived experiences of overcoming the stigma associated with childhood poverty to become academically successful for adults in the Southwest region of the United States. This study attempted to answer the question: What are the lived experiences of academically successful adults who have overcome the stigma of childhood poverty in the Southwest region of the United States? The participants were recruited through a social media platform, and 10 individuals participated in the research. The theory guiding this study was Carol Dweck's growth mindset theory. The growth mindset theory explains how …

Sexual And Relationship Satisfaction Among Monogamous Heterosexual Married Female Survivors Of Primary Caregiver Childhood Sexual Abuse, Andrea K. Diaz

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Childhood sexual abuse can have devastating lifelong impacts for children who were abused by a primary caregiver. Research shows links to a gamut of adverse risks including physical health problems, intimate partner violence and revictimization, mental health concerns, interrupted life roles, interpersonal relationship attachment, sexuality, communication, and social support issues. Many studies are limited in delineating sexual orientation and relationship status. Despite significant research related to childhood sexual abuse, a gap in the literature exists. The presented qualitative phenomenological study sought to understand sexual and relationship satisfaction among monogamous heterosexual female survivors of primary caregiver childhood sexual abuse within the …

A Call To Duty: The Role Of Spirituality In The Military To Civilian Transition Outcomes Of United States Military Combat Veterans, Tony M. Hankerson

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Transitioning from military to civilian life, especially after experiencing combat, can be challenging. Researchers have found spirituality to be a buffer for military service members who have been exposed to combat; however, little is known about the relationship between spirituality and the military-to-civilian transition outcomes among combat veterans. This quantitative, non-experimental study examined the relationship between spirituality and the outcomes of the military-to-civilian transition for United States military combat veterans. The instruments used in the study were the Spiritual Well-Being Scale, the Combat Exposure Scale, and the Military-to-Civilian Questionnaire. The findings indicated that spirituality was negatively correlated with military-to-civilian difficulties …

Formerly Incarcerated Women, Adverse Childhood Experiences, And Resilience: A Qualitative Descriptive Study, Patricia Celina Simms

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative descriptive case study was to explore how formerly incarcerated females who have experienced adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) perceived their participation in rehabilitation programs while incarcerated and its influence on their resilience and reintegration into society in Virginia. This study is based on the Community Resiliency Model (CRM) by Miller-Karas (2015), which explains how individuals and communities manage trauma and build resilience. The CRM emphasizes self-regulation, social connections, and internal resource development, reflecting participants’ transformative journeys. The model suggests that structured programs in supportive communities aid emotional stabilization and long-term resilience. Participants did not mention the …

Growth, Maturation, And Selection Of Elite Youth Ice Hockey Players, Ryan Podell

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Maturity status may influence the selection of elite youth ice hockey teams in the United States. Assessing biological maturity status could provide insight into the prevalence of maturation related selection biases. Thus, the purpose of this study was to establish normative maturity status ranges, determine if maturity or relative age effect selection biases existed, and compare levels of agreement between methods to predict maturity status for elite youth ice hockey players in the United States. Part one of this study assessed the biological maturity status and birth months for 126 athletes, ranging 9-16 years of age, from an elite youth …

Burned: A Phenomenological Study On Educator Burnout Within Self-Contained Classrooms, Nyausha West-James

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to describe the lived experiences of self-contained special education educators who have experienced burnout in Ozark County in Georgia. The social cognitive theory guided this research. The social cognitive theory can be supported by teaching new behaviors and encouraging educators to participate in behaviors that support self-efficacy. Self-efficacy can support teachers in managing their emotions and reducing educator burnout. The central research question was what are the lived experiences of self-contained special education educators who have experienced burnout? Although there was data that provided evidence on burnout, there was a lack of …

Mental Health Provider Education On The Benefits Of Telepsychiatry To Increase Knowledge And Promote Adoption To Improve Organizational Efficiency, Standards Of Care, And Revenue Generation., Jada Eugene

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The study implemented an educational intervention on the benefits of telehealth among mental health providers to improve their level of knowledge and promote technology adoption to improve organizational efficiency, revenue generation, and standards of care. The clinical question was: Among mental health providers, does an educational intervention on the benefits of telehealth, compared to no education, enhance knowledge of telepsychiatry consultations and promote adoption to improve organizational efficiency, standards of care, and revenue generation? Utilizing the Iowa Model of EBP, the researcher implemented a pilot study using the quasi-experimental design. Knowledge, telehealth usability, revenue generation, and standards of care were …